The effect of mental ill health on absence from work in different occupational classifications: analysis of routine data in the British Household Panel Survey

OBJECTIVE:: To investigate relationship of mental ill health to absence from work in different occupational classifications. METHOD:: Examined sickness absence, mental health (GHQ-12), physical health, job characteristics, and personal characteristics in 18 waves of the British Household Panel Survey. RESULTS:: Overall sickness absence rate was 1.68%. Increased absence was associated with age greater than 45 years, female gender, lower occupational classification, and public-sector employers. Decreased absence was associated with part-time working. Scoring 4 or more on the General Health Questionnaire 12-item version (GHQ-12 caseness) was strongly associated with sickness absence. Public-sector employers had highest rates of sickness absence. GHQ-12 caseness had largest impact on absence in the public and nonprofit sectors, whereas physical health problems impacted more in the private sector. CONCLUSIONS:: GHQ-12 caseness is strongly associated with increased absence in all classifications of occupations. Differences between sectors require further investigation.