Effect of perceived workplace health support on absenteeism and presenteeism among Japanese workers: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to investigate the impact of perceived workplace health support (PWHS) on absenteeism and presenteeism among Japanese workers to determine the significance of health and productivity management in improving labor productivity.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study, using data from the Work Systems & Health Internet Research (WSHIR) study, involved 1879 Japanese workers aged 20-69 years. The intensity of PWHS was assessed using self-administered questionnaires. The participants were followed up from October 2021 to October 2022 to evaluate the incidence of absenteeism and presenteeism based on the level of PWHS.

RESULTS

The study findings revealed that higher PWHS significantly correlated with lower presenteeism, indicating better work productivity. Conversely, the relationship between PWHS and absenteeism was less clear, with no consistent trend observed across different levels of PWHS intensity.

CONCLUSIONS

Enhanced PWHS was associated with reduced presenteeism among Japanese workers, underscoring the importance of workplace health support for improving employee productivity. This finding emphasizes the need for companies to focus on health promotion activities and recognize the potential of PWHS as a performance indicator in corporate health management.