Work-related psychosocial events as triggers of sick leave - results from a Swedish case-crossover study

Table 3 Estimated odds ratios of sick leave on an exposed day relative to an unexposed day

Type of work-related psychosocial event	Case period	Control period	OR	95% CI
Problems in the relationship with a superior	Last two workdays before first sick-leave day	Two-week usual frequency	3.63	1.44-9.15
		Matched pair control period, last two workdays before case period¹	2.33	0.60-9.02
Problems in the relationship with colleagues	Last two workdays before first sick-leave day	Two-week usual frequency	4.68	1.43-15.30
		Matched pair control period, last two workdays before case period²	2.50	0.49-12.89
Discriminated, bullied, sexually harassed, or harassed in other way	Last two workdays before first sick-leave day	Two-week usual frequency	4.00	0.31-52.03
		Matched pair control period, last two workdays before case period³	1.00	0.06-15.99
Unpleasant tasks, not skilled enough, wants to get out of	First sick-leave day	Two-week usual frequency	2.59	0.94-7.16
		Matched-pair control period, last workday before case period⁴	1.20	0.37-3.93
Very stressful work situation; unusually high workload, tight deadline, more tasks, or larger field of responsibility	First sick-leave day	Two-week usual frequency	2.27	1.40-3.70
		Matched-pair control period, last workday before case period⁵	2.70	1.31-5.58

Odds ratios (OR) and surrounding 95% confidence intervals are presented for the two different analytical approaches of control information.
1 There were 7 cases who reported problems in the relationship with a superior only during the last two workdays before sick leave, as compared to 3 cases who reported exposure only during the last two workdays before the case period. Twenty cases were exposed during both periods.
2 There were 5 cases who reported problems in the relationship with colleagues only during the last two workdays before sick leave, as compared to 2 cases who reported exposure only during the last two workdays before the case period. Six cases were exposed during both periods.
3 There was 1 case who reported being discriminated, bullied, sexually harassed or harassed in other way only during the two workdays before sick leave, and 1 case who reported exposure only during the last two workdays before the case period. One case reported exposure during both periods.
4 There were 6 cases who reported exposure to unpleasant tasks only during the first sick-leave day, as compared to 5 cases who reported exposure only during the last workday before sick leave. Ten cases were exposed during both periods.
5 There were 27 cases who reported exposure to a very stressful work situation only during the first sick-leave day, as compared to 10 cases who reported exposure only during the last workday before sick leave. Thirty-six cases were exposed during both periods.

ISSN: 1471-2458