The Cumulative Impact and Associated Costs of Multiple Health Conditions on Employee Productivity

Authors:
  • KLKate L. Lewis
    Kate L. Lewis
  • PCPeter Caputi
    Peter Caputi
  • SKSascha Knospe
    Sascha Knospe
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Abstract
This study investigates and provides comparative data on the relative contributions of multiple physical and psychological health conditions on work productivity. A total of 667 employees from the headquarters office of a multinational consumer goods manufacturing firm in Germany completed a purpose-designed self-report questionnaire addressing the presence of 13 common health conditions, and associated absenteeism and presenteeism. Adjustments for comorbidity and self-report bias were made using an innovative approach. A total of 34.8% of participants experienced absenteeism and 78.4% experienced presenteeism for at least one health condition. The overall annualized productivity loss due to the 13 health conditions was more than 27 days, equating to 12.3% of employee capacity and about €8.78 million for the 1298 persons employed at the site. The combined effects of multiple health conditions on productivity account for a significant proportion of total employee costs.

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