Stress Factors and Their Effect on Absenteeism in a Corporate Employee Group

This research measured the effect of health evaluation interviews on illness absenteeism in a group of 500 corporate employees. The 20-minute interview, done in conjunction with the periodic medical examination, was designed to assess stress-related symptoms and coping abilities relate primarily to work stress. Referrals and educational materials were given to those employees who had stress-related symptoms. Illness absenteeism was monitored six months prior to and six months after the interview. Control groups of employees matched by sex, job classification and job stress score were compared with the experimental group who had the health evaluation interview. A significant drop in illness absenteeism for the experimental group as a result of the health evaluation interview and referral was observed.