Statistical information on absence attributed to work related injury and
illness appears to be generally available to managers and as such is
commonly employed as a guide for planning and monitoring organizational
health and safety programmes. In contrast, few organizations seem to have a
strong managerial grasp of nonwork absence attributed to illness and injury
which, it is considered, significantly exceeds the latter in terms offrequency, cost
and time lost.
This paper examines aspects ofabsence attributed to work and non work related
illness and injury and their relationships. A systematic approach is proposed for
measuring, analysing and reporting absences attributed to both work and
non work related illness and injury. On this basis, preventative and rehabilitative
strategies for the management of unplanned absence are discussed.
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