Depression in the workplace : an economic cost analysis of depression-related productivity loss attributable to job strain and bullying
| dc.contributor.author | McTernan, W.P. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Dollard, M.F. | |
| dc.contributor.author | LaMontagne, A. | |
| dc.date.issued | 2013 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Depression represents an increasing global health epidemic with profound effects in the workplace. Building a business case via the quantification of potentially avertable costs is essential to convince organizations to address depression at work. Our study objectives were to: (1) demonstrate a process path whereby job strain and bullying are related to productivity loss via their effects on depression; (2) estimate the costs to employers of sickness absence and presenteeism that are associated with depression; (3) investigate the relationship between depression severity and costs; and (4) estimate the contribution of job strain and bullying to depression-related productivity loss. A population based telephone survey was conducted across two Australian states (N = 2074), with a one-year follow-up (cohort design). Results confirmed job strain and bullying affected productivity via depressive symptoms. Total national annual employer costs for lost productivity due to depression were estimated at $AUD8 billion per annum, most of which was due to mild depression. We calculated a population-attributable risk (PAR) estimate of 8.7% for depression attributable to bullying and job strain, equating to $AUD693 million in preventable lost productivity costs per annum. Findings suggest that even sub-clinical levels of depression represent a significant productivity and economic burden not previously recognized. | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Work & Stress, 2013; 27(4):321-338 | |
| dc.identifier.doi | 10.1080/02678373.2013.846948 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 0267-8373 | |
| dc.identifier.issn | 1464-5335 | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1959.8/153330 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Routledge | |
| dc.relation.funding | ARC DP087900 | |
| dc.relation.funding | ARC DP087900 Discovery Project | |
| dc.rights | Copyright 2013 Taylor & Francis | |
| dc.source.uri | https://doi.org/10.1080/02678373.2013.846948 | |
| dc.subject | bullying | |
| dc.subject | cost analysis | |
| dc.subject | depression | |
| dc.subject | economy | |
| dc.subject | job strain | |
| dc.subject | presenteeism | |
| dc.subject | productivity | |
| dc.subject | sickness absenteeism | |
| dc.title | Depression in the workplace : an economic cost analysis of depression-related productivity loss attributable to job strain and bullying | |
| dc.type | Journal article | |
| pubs.publication-status | Published | |
| ror.mmsid | 9915909887301831 |