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Cost–Benefit Evaluation of an Organizational-Level Intervention Program for Decreasing Sickness Absence among Public Sector Employees in Sweden

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  • Jonathan Severin

    (Region Västra Götaland, The Institute of Stress Medicine, 413 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
    School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Mikael Svensson

    (School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden)

  • Magnus Akerstrom

    (Region Västra Götaland, The Institute of Stress Medicine, 413 19 Gothenburg, Sweden
    School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, 413 90 Gothenburg, Sweden)

Abstract

Work-related illnesses create a vast economic burden for employers and society. Organizational-level workplace interventions are recommended to prevent these illnesses, but the knowledge about the economic benefits of such interventions is scarce. The study aimed to evaluate the economic benefit of an organizational-level workplace program for decreasing sickness absence. The program contained a monetary support approach (MSA) and an approach combining monetary and facilitator support (FSA). Cost–benefit analyses were used, where the results were compared to those of business as usual. Economic benefits of reduced sickness absence were based on the value of reduced production loss and direct sick pay costs, respectively. Sensitivity analyses were used to assess the robustness of the results. The program had a positive net benefit when measuring productivity loss, where the FSA had a net benefit and the MSA had a net loss. A negative net benefit was derived when measuring direct sick pay costs. The intervention effect on sickness absence affected the net benefit the most. This program was economically beneficial in terms of reducing the productivity loss, but not of reducing direct sick pay costs connected to short-term sickness absence. Using evidence-based methods is essential for increasing the long-term net benefit of organizational-level workplace interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonathan Severin & Mikael Svensson & Magnus Akerstrom, 2022. "Cost–Benefit Evaluation of an Organizational-Level Intervention Program for Decreasing Sickness Absence among Public Sector Employees in Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2998-:d:763970
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Drummond, Michael F. & Sculpher, Mark J. & Claxton, Karl & Stoddart, Greg L. & Torrance, George W., 2015. "Methods for the Economic Evaluation of Health Care Programmes," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, edition 4, number 9780199665884.
    2. David Rae, 2005. "How to Reduce Sickness Absences in Sweden: Lessons from International Experience," OECD Economics Department Working Papers 442, OECD Publishing.
    3. Jonathan Severin & Lisa Björk & Linda Corin & Ingibjörg H. Jonsdottir & Magnus Akerstrom, 2021. "Process Evaluation of an Operational-Level Job Stress Intervention Aimed at Decreasing Sickness Absence among Public Sector Employees in Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Magnus Akerstrom & Linda Corin & Jonathan Severin & Ingibjörg H. Jonsdottir & Lisa Björk, 2021. "Can Working Conditions and Employees’ Mental Health Be Improved via Job Stress Interventions Designed and Implemented by Line Managers and Human Resources on an Operational Level?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Dellve, Lotta & Skagert, Katrin & Eklöf, Mats, 2008. "The impact of systematic occupational health and safety management for occupational disorders and long-term work attendance," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 67(6), pages 965-970, September.
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