"Svaret finns på arbetsplatserna. Där finns både roten till det onda och nyckeln till det goda" : Sambandet mellan sjuknärvaro och psykosocial arbetsmiljö

The aim of this study was to examine if and how the psychosocial work environment has affect on sickness presenteeism for employees. The study was conducted at one of the largest industries in Norrbotten where three working teams have been examined. The analysis was based on the theory that constituted the study and the descriptions of various experiences from the respondents regarding work demands, control, support and sickness presenteeism. The results show that all the examined working teams experiences that the psychosocial work environment directly affects the sickness presenteeism. Factors such as heavy workload, the work piles up, loyalty to colleagues and the difficulty for others to take over proved crucial for the respondents to work despite illness. Other factors like duties require employee attendance, fear of missing any fun, deadlines and the pressure of delivering on time was also found to affect the sickness presenteeism. The respondents perceive their work situation through high work demands, a heavy workload and at times very stressful. Control varies depending on the examined working team and the support is perceived as high. The obstacle that are perceived to be existing regarding control is primarily for the planners in form of lack of influence over the exportation groups and the technicians that are controlled by the unexpected which makes it difficult for them to plan and control in and over their work. One difficulty in getting support from external divisions is present, which is experienced due to the fact that other colleagues do not have issues clarified for themselves in certain situations like the closest colleagues in the own working team have. In addition, respondents perceive themselves as happy at work and experience the working atmosphere as well and they feel they have good colleagues. This study shows that sickness presenteeism and psychosocial work environment are related and are important issues to work with, both from a human perspective but also from an organizational perspective. Keywords: Sickness presenteeism, psychosocial work environment, work demands, control and support.Validerat; 20110630 (anonymous