Leisure-time physical activity and direct cost of short-term sickness absence among Finnish municipal employees

ABSTRACT

We aimed to examine the direct costs of short-term (1–14 days) sickness absence and the effect of employees' physical activity on the costs. The Finnish Helsinki Health Study survey (2007) was used in the analysis (n = 3,935). Physical activity was classified into inactive, moderately active, and vigorously active. Sickness absence (3 years follow-up) and salary data were derived from the employer's registers. On average, an employee was absent 6 days a year due to short-term sickness absence, with a production loss of 2,350 EUR during the 3 years. The vigorously active had less sickness absence than those less active. The direct cost of sickness absence of a vigorously active employee was 404 EUR less than that of an inactive employee. Promoting physical activity among employees may decrease direct cost of short-term sickness absence.

KEYWORDS:

• Exercise
• physical activity
• production loss
• sick leave

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the City of Helsinki and all the members of the Helsinki Health Study group for their contribution, especially Data Manager Olli Pietiläinen for preparing the data.

Funding

The Helsinki Health Study is supported by the Academy of Finland (grant 1257362), the Ministry of Education and Culture (grant 6303383), the Finnish Work Environment Fund (grant 112231), the University of Helsinki, and the City of Helsinki.