Long term sickness absence: Sickness absence, stress, and disaffection are linked

doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7499.1087-a

BMJ 2005;330:1087 (7 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.330.7499.1087-a

Letter

Long term sickness absence

Sickness absence, stress, and disaffection are linked

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR—A great deal of sickness absence, as mentionedin the article by Henderson et al,¹ arises from the worryingtrend to medicalise life. Much absence due to work related stressis in fact disaffection rather than disease. It manifests itselfas unhappiness and anxiety with the working environment andbecomes a withdrawal from work legitimised as a medical problemthrough certified absence.

Most healthy people of average fortitude who are given workthat is interesting, satisfying, properly resourced, and professionallymanaged will turn up to do it. There is abundant evidence thatsuch work is good for long term health. The reverse is alsotrue. The common belief held by bad employers and some politiciansthat people are naturally work shy is an urban myth.

We need better management rather than better medicine. Goodoccupational physicians should use their influence to encouragegood management in their own organisations, . . . [Full text of this article]

Dale Archer, occupational health physician

Occupational Health Unit, Shropshire County Council, Shirehall, Shrewsbury SY2 6ND dalearcher@blueyonder.co.uk