Working while ill: Distinct psychosocial risk profiles among sickness presentees, in comparison with sick leave users, and healthy workers

Lakiša, S. (Speaker)
Paegle, L. (Co-author)
Matisāne, L. (Co-author)
Matisāne, M. (Co-author)

Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation

Description

This conference serves as a unique platform for exchanging knowledge, sharing innovative ideas, and discussing contemporary issues, challenges and innovative solutions in the fields of psychosocial factors at work, public policy, good governance, occupational health and safety, organizational management, leadership and human resource management. We aim to foster multidisciplinary, international collaborations and exchanging experiences across countries and cultures that will address workplace issues and enhance mental health and well-being for all.

Period	10 Dec 2015 → 12 Dec 2026
Event title	2nd Joint Congress of ICOH-WOPS & APA-PFAW
Event type	Congress
Conference number	2
Location	Ho Chi Minh City, Viet NamShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International

Documents & Links

Working while ill: Distinct psychosocial risk profiles among sickness presentees, in comparison with sick leave users, and healthy workers Svetlana Lakiša1, Monta Matisāne1, Linda Paegle1, Ivars Vanadziņš1, Valentīna Krūmiņa2, Kristīne Mārtinsone2, Elīna Akmane2, Amanda Ķule2, Daiga Kamerāde3, Linda Matisāne1 1 Rīga Stradiņš University, Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Riga, Latvia. 2 Rīga Stradiņš University, Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy, Riga, Latvia. 3 School of Health and Society, University of Salford, Salford, United Kingdom Abstract Background: Sickness presenteeism is an increasingly recognized issue in occupational health. While individual motivation and health conditions contribute to this behavior, growing evidence points to the importance of psychosocial work environment factors. This study explores how psychosocial risk profiles differ among sickness presentees compared to other health-related behavior patterns. Methods: Data from a national survey (BALANCE4LV project) were used to analyze several subsamples of respondents: 1) sickness presentees (n = 423), 2) medically certified sick leave users (n = 472), 3) informal leave users (n = 311), 4) and those who did not fall ill (n = 244). Data were collected online between August 13 and October 31, 2024, weighted by age and gender. Associations with psychosocial factors were examined using logistic regression. Results: Sickness presentees had distinct psychosocial risk profiles compared to sick leave (informal or medically certified) users and those who were not ill. Compared to ill workers who took informal leave, sickness presentees had higher odds of poor work-life balance (OR = 1.89), low job satisfaction (OR = 1.44), overtime work (OR = 1.58), and lack of flexibility in planning (OR = 2.00), while the results regarding relationships with supervisors pointed in different directions. However, when sickness presentees are compared with those who took medically certified sick leave, positive-pressure presenteeism can be observed—good relationships with colleagues (OR = 0.58), support from direct supervisor (OR = 0.61), and from co-workers (OR = 0.59). Differences between sickness presentees and workers who had not fallen ill were more pronounced in factors such as overtime work (OR = 1.71), heavy workload (OR = 1.14), job satisfaction (OR = 2.17), and poor work-life balance (OR = 1.96). Conclusions: Presenteeism reflects both individual behavior and systemic workplace conditions. Sickness presenteeism can be affected by such psychosocial factors as job satisfaction, work-life balance, workload, overtime work, flexibility, relationships, and support at work. However, psychosocial risk profiles among sickness presentees differ depending on whether they are compared with sick leave users or workers who didn’t fall ill. Funding: EU Recovery and Resilience Facility and Latvian state budget (BALANCE4LV, RSU-PAG-2024/1-0012).