Absenteeism following a workplace intervention for older food industry workers.

Background: The effects of workplace interventions on sickness absence are poorly understood, in particular in ageing workers.

Aims: To analyse the effects of a senior programme on sickness absence among blue-collar food industry workers of a food company in Finland.

Methods: We followed up 129 employees aged 55 years or older, who participated in a senior programme (intervention group), and 229 employees of the same age from the same company who did not participate (control group). Total sickness absence days and spells of 1-3, 4-7, 8-21 and >21 days were recorded for the members of the intervention group from the year before joining the programme and for the control group starting at age 54 years. Both groups were followed for up to 6 years.

Results: The median number of sickness absence days per person-year increased significantly from baseline in both groups during the follow-up. Compared with the control group, the intervention group had increased risk for 1-3 days spells [rate ratio 1.34 (1.21-1.48)] and 4-7 days spells [rate ratio 1.23 (1.07-1.41)], but the risk for >21 days spells was decreased [rate ratio 0.68 (0.53-0.88)] after participation in the senior programme.

Conclusions: A programme to enhance individual work well-being in ageing workers may increase short-term but reduce long-term sickness absence.