Work stress' economic impact in medical costs and absence from work

本研究的目的是评估职业压力对一家金属制品厂的经济影响。测试组由3975名男性和2155名女性员工组成，年龄在19-55岁之间。工作压力的量化使用工作内容问卷和努力-回报不平衡问卷。评估了因缺勤造成的劳动力损失的经济价值和医疗费用。(1)缺勤：本研究中的缺勤包括病假、带薪假期和无明确理由的缺勤。男性的平均随访天数和每30天缺勤的几何平均天数分别为1200[正负]223和0.619[乘除]0.292，女性为1257[正负]164和0.825[乘除]0.289。通过将高分组和低分组的缺勤天数之差乘以平均工资，我们估计低工作控制组的劳动力损失相当于男性10，100日元/30天，女性10，700日元/30天。低工作场所支持组男性的劳动力损失相当于8，600日元/30天。(2)健康保险报告的医疗费用：排除在问卷调查前一个月内使用健康保险的受试者。平均随访月数为43.8[±]1.0。对于男性来说，低工作场所支持组的医疗费用的50%瓦值比高工作场所支持组的多约330日元/月。这些结果表明，预防工作压力不仅有益于健康，而且有益于经济。

RESEARCH RESULTSThe object of this study was to evaluate the economic influence of vocational stress in a metal-products factory. The test group consisted of 3975 male and 2155 female employees aged 19-55. Work stress was quantified using the Job Content Questionnaire and Effort-reward Imbalance Questionnaire. Lost labor in economic value due to absence from work and medical costs were evaluated.(1) absence from work :Absence from work in this study is comprised of sick leave, paid holidays and absences without clear reasons. The mean follow-up days and geometric mean days of absence from work per 30 days were 1200【plus-minus】223 and 0.619【multiply-divide】0.292 for males and 1257【plus-minus】164 and 0.825【multiply-divide】0.289 for females. By multiplying the difference of absent days from work between the high score group and the low score group by average wage, we estimated that the labor loss of the low job control group was equivalent to 10,100 Yen/30 days for males and 10,700 Yen/30 days for females. The labor loss of the low worksite support group for males was equivalent to 8,600 Yen/30 days.(2) medical costs reported by the Health Insurance :The subjects who had used the Health Insurance during the one month period preceding the Questionnaire survey were excluded. The mean follow-up months was 43.8【plus-minus】1.0. For males, the 50% tile value of medical expenditure in the low worksite support group was about 330 Yen per month more than that in the high worksite support group.These results show that the prevention of work stress is not only beneficial for health but also economically beneficial.