Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 2105

According to the 2007 American Time Use Survey, "employed persons worked an average of 7.6 hours on the days that they worked... On the days that they worked, 20 percent of employed persons did some or all of their work at home, and 87 percent did some or all of their work at their workplace... Self-employed workers were more likely than wage and salary workers to have done some work at home--55 versus 16 percent." (p. 1-2)

U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2008). American time use survey summary: 2007 results. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Labor. Retrieved from http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/atus.pdf

This annual release of American Time Use Survey (ATUS) data focuses on the average amount of time per day in 2007 that Americans worked, did house- hold activities, cared for household children, participated in educational activities, and engaged in leisure and sports activities.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1735

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, lost productive time due to back pain is higher in younger men; almost 3% of men in the 18-39 age range report 2 or more hours of lost productive time due to back pain, compared to approximately 2% or less in men 45 and older.  Less than 1.5% of women in all age groups report 2 hours or more of lost productive time due to back pain.(p. 2449-50)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2457

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1734

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, lost productive time due to arthritis was highest in older age groups; for example less than 1% of women aged 25-29 lost 2 hours or more of productive time due to arthritis, compared to between 2-3% for women aged 45 and over. (p. 2449-50)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2456

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1733

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, lost productive time due to headache was highest in males and females in younger age groups; for example approximately 6.5% of women aged  25-29 lost 2 hours or more of productive time due to headache, compared to less than 3% for women aged 45 and over. The proportion of the workforce with 2 hrs/week or more of headache-related lost productive time was approximately 2 times higher in females than males. (p. 2449-50)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2455

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1732

Analysis of the American Productivity Audit (2001-02) indicates that "thirteen percent of the total workforce experienced a loss in productive time during a 2 week period due to a common pain condition. Headache was the most common (5.4%) pain condition resulting in lost productive time. It was followed by back pain (3.2%), arthritis pain (2%), and other musculoskeletal pain (2%)...No difference in the proportion of the workforce losing 2 hours per week of productivity due to pain [all conditions combined] was observed by age." (p. 2443, 2447)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2454

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1729

For workers over the age of 40, the top four STD [short-term disability] impairments with the longest durations of time away from work are cancer and mental health disorders, e.g. depression (between 75-80 days) and musculoskeletal and circulatory disorders (between 70-75 days), according to analysis of the 2002-04 UnumProvident Disability Database. (Fig. 2.9, p. 7)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1728

Based on analysis of the UnumProvident Disability Database, 2002-2004, "The primary drivers of long term impairments and work disruptions for the older worker are musculoskeletal disorders (accident/arthritis/back problems - 25%), cancer (17%), cardiovascular/circulator disorders (8%), and mental/nervous problems (7%). (Fig. 2.5, p. 5)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1727

"A 55-year-old worker has a 30% lower risk of being injured on the job than a 30-year-old worker", according to analysis of 2003 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Current Population Survey. After a work related injury or illness, workers aged 55 and over need an average of 12 days away from work, compared to 10 days for workers aged 45-54, and 8 days for those aged 35-44." (p. 4)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1725

Analysis of the UnumProvident Disability Database shows that "workers over the age of 40 have lower incidence of work injuries, short term disability and unscheduled absences than the employee under the age of 40... Workers over the age of 40 experience greater time off from work when an injury or illness occurs. Seventy-six percent of UnumProvident's long term disability cases are over the age of 40." (p. 3)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1724

According to analysis of the UnumProvident Disability Database, "health risk factors [such as smoking, obesity, uncontrolled blood pressure, etc.], double and triple the healthcare cost of the older worker. For example, the health cost differential between the low-risk 40 and 50 year old and the high-risk 40 and 50 year old is 3.0 and 2.8 times higher respectively. The health costs for the 60 year old with low risk is an estimated 2.4 times lower than the health risk for the high-risk 60 year old." (Fig. 2.11, p. 8)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1723

Based on analysis of the 2002-04 UnumProvident Disability Database, musculoskeletal injuries are the most prevalent cause of short-term disabilities for workers over the age of 40, accounting for almost 40% of STD claims in manufacturing and healthcare, and approximately 30% in transportation, education and banking. (Fig. 2.7, p. 6)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1722

Based on analysis of the 2002-04 UnumProvident Disability Database, "The over-40 worker with musculoskeletal injury or impairment is reported to stay off work 12 days longer, on average, than a younger worker with a similar impairment." (p. 7)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1736

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, the prevalence of depression among workers of all ages was 9.4% during a 2-week study period; among ages 18-35, the prevalance was 8.2%; among ages 35-40, 10.7%, and among ages 50-65, 9.1%. (Table 2, p. 3140) Among the workers with depression, 77.1% reported some lost productive time (LPT) related to depressive symptoms. LPT among depressed individuals was primarily explained by LPT while at work (82.1%). (p. 3140)

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Hahn, S. R., & Morganstein, D. (2003). Cost of lost productive work time among US workers with depression. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 289(23), 3135-3144.

All employed individuals who participated in the American Productivity Audit (conducted August 1, 2001-July 31, 2002) between May 20 and July 11, 2002, were eligible for the Depressive Disorders Study. Those who responded affirmatively to 2 depression-screening questions (n = 692), as well as a 1:4 stratified random sample of those responding in the negative (n = 435), were recruited for and completed a supplemental interview using the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders Mood Module for depression, the Somatic Symptom Inventory, and a medical and treatment history for depression. Excess lost productive time (LPT) costs from depression were derived as the difference in LPT among individuals with depression minus the expected LPT in the absence of depression projected to the US workforce.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1741

Analysis of 1996-2003 claims data from NCCI show that "at 18 months after injury, 72% of claims are closed for those aged 20-34 versus 58% for the 45-64 age cohort. Sixty months after the date of injury, the percentages are 96% and 91%, respectively." (p. 13)




Restrepo, T., Sobel, S., & Shuford, H. (2006). Age as a driver of frequency and severity (NCCI research brief). Boca Raton, FL: National Council on Compensation Insurance. Retrieved July 31, 2007 from https://www.ncci.com/ncci/media/pdf/research-age-frequency.pdf

This NCCI research brief from December 2006 examines Bureau of Labor Statistics data and claims data reported to NCCI to determine the effects of age as a driver of frequency and severity of employee injuries.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 2082

According to a 2008 survey, employers report that they are tracking and benchmarking results of strategies for improving health and productivity. For example, 32% indicate that they are benchmarking medical costs associated with chronic conditions; 21% are tracking participation in their corporate disease management program; 22% are tracking participation in wellness activities. (p. 5)

Aon Consulting. (2008). Aon consulting's 2008 benefits and talent survey. Chicago, IL: Aon Corporation.

"More than 1,100 employers participated in the 2008 Benefits and Talent Survey." The participants were primarily senior HR leaders or benefits administrators and managers. 41% of the respondents represented organizations with 501-5,000 employees. 36% were from organizations with fewer than 500, and 22% had 5,001 or more employees. (p.2)

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 2080

According to a 2008 survey of employers, "60% of respondents report that they have a leadership talent shortage right now that will impede their organization's performance. That is up from 16% just one year ago. Another 31% expect a leadership shortage will impede performance within the next four years." (p. 2)

Aon Consulting. (2008). Aon consulting's 2008 benefits and talent survey. Chicago, IL: Aon Corporation.

"More than 1,100 employers participated in the 2008 Benefits and Talent Survey." The participants were primarily senior HR leaders or benefits administrators and managers. 41% of the respondents represented organizations with 501-5,000 employees. 36% were from organizations with fewer than 500, and 22% had 5,001 or more employees. (p.2)

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 2077

In a 2008 survey of employers, HR leaders and benefits mangers indicated that to improve the health and productivity of their workforce, for the 2008 plan year [their companies] have implemented wellness benefits, like disease management (60%), promoting exercise and physical activity (68%) smoking cessation programs (46%) and health risk appraisals (48%). For 2009, these numbers will increase to 72% for disease management, 74% for exercise/physical activity, 55% for smoking cessation programs, and 66% for health risk appraisals. (p. 5)

Aon Consulting. (2008). Aon consulting's 2008 benefits and talent survey. Chicago, IL: Aon Corporation.

"More than 1,100 employers participated in the 2008 Benefits and Talent Survey." The participants were primarily senior HR leaders or benefits administrators and managers. 41% of the respondents represented organizations with 501-5,000 employees. 36% were from organizations with fewer than 500, and 22% had 5,001 or more employees. (p.2)

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 2057

According to a 2006 MetLife report on caregiving costs, the total estimated cost to employers for all full-time, employed caregivers is $33.6 billion; the average cost per employee is $2,110. For full-time employees with intense caregiving responsibilities, the total estimated cost to employers is $17.1 billion; the average cost per employee is $2,441. (p. 4)




MetLife Mature Market Institute, & National Alliance for Caregiving. (2006). The MetLife caregiving cost study: Productivity losses to U.S. businesses. Westport, CT: MetLife. Retrieved from http://www.caregiving.org/data/Caregiver%20Cost%20Study.pdf

This study estimates the productivity losses to U.S. business of employees who must make workplace accommodations as a result of caregiving responsibilities. These include costs associated with replacing employees, absenteeism, crisis in care, workday interruptions, supervisory time, unpaid leave, and reducing hours from full-time to part-time.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 2042

Based on analysis of 2001 BLS data, three age groups (25-34, 35-44, and 45-54) accounted for 78.9% of cases of musculoskeletal disorders [injuries or disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage, and spinal discs] involving days away from work. Workers aged 54 and older accounted for 10.5% of cases. Case rates for the other age groups are: 25.9% (25-34), 31.2% (35-44), and 21.8% (45-54). (fig. 2-39)

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2004). Worker health chartbook 2004 (NIOSH Publication No. 2004-146). Cincinnati, OH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/chartbook/

The Worker Health Chartbook 2004 is a descriptive epidemiologic reference on occupational morbidity and mortality in the United States, based on data collected from various surveys and surveillance programs.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 2010

According to a 2007 study of health and productivity costs in 4 large companies, health-related productivity costs [including absenteeism, preseenteeism, medical, and pharmaceutical] were more than four times greater than medical and pharmacy costs alone.

Loeppke, R., Taitel, M., Richling, D., Parry, T., Kessler, R. C., Hymel, P., et al. (2007). Health and productivity as a business strategy. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 49(7), 712-721.

This article documents results from four companies participating in the Health and Productivity as a Business Strategy study. These companies were identified based on size, availability of medical and pharmacy claims data, and availability of Health and Work Perforamce (HPQ) survey results. Data from over 57,000 employees was analyzed.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 2008

Based on 2003 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey data, for seven of the most common chronic diseases [cancers, diabetes, hypertension, stroke, heart disease, pulmonary conditions, and mental disorders], "the total impact of these diseases on the economy is $1.3 trillion annually. Of this amount, lost productivity totals $1.1 trillion per year, while another $277 billion is spent annually on treatment (not including costs to treat the follow-on health consequences of these diseases)." (p. i)

DeVol, R., & Bedroussian, A. (2007). An unhealthy american: The economic burden of chronic disease. Santa Monica, CA: Milken Institute. Retrieved from http://www.milkeninstitute.org/publications/publications.taf?function=detail&ID=38801018&cat=ResRep

This study compares and contrasts the different estimates of absence and presenteeism costs imposed by certain disease conditions. The analysis combines data from administrative records of medical treatment (ie, inpatient and outpatient medical records and drug claims), administrative data related to employee absence and disability, and estimates of absence and presenteeism losses obtained from a variety of self-report instruments and surveys.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1998

Based on analysis of 2001 BLS data, younger age groups accounted for the majority of cases of cases of anxiety, stress and neurotic disorder cases involving days away from work in private industry. Workers aged 25-34 accounted for 25.5% of cases, and workers aged 35-44 accounted for 28.2% of cases. Among older workers, those aged 45-54 accounted for 24.6% of cases, and for ages 54 and older, 14.1% of cases. (fig. 2-3)

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (2004). Worker health chartbook 2004 (NIOSH Publication No. No. 2004-146). Cinncinati, OH: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/chartbook/

The Worker Health Chartbook 2004 is a descriptive epidemiologic reference on occupational morbidity and mortality in the United States,based on data collected from various surveys and surveillance programs.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1798

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, 8.63 percent of 18 to 29 year old workers reported that they lost more than 2 hours a week in productive time due to pain-related conditions in the previous two weeks, compared to 8.40 percent of 30 to 39 year olds, 7.82 percent of 40 to 49 year olds, and 6.36 percent of 50 to 65 year olds. (p. 2450).




Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., Morganstein, D., & Lipton, R. (2003). Lost productive time and cost due to common pain conditions in the US workforce. JAMA : The Journal of the American Medical Association, 290(18), 2443-2454

This study is based on data reporting "lost productive time during a 2 week period from a cross-sectional study using survey data from the American Productivity Audit of a random sample of 28902 working adults in the US between August 1, 2001 and July 30, 2002."

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1745

According to CPS data on self-reported health status, "17 percent of persons age 55-64 have a work-limiting health problem compared with 9 percent of persons age 40-54 and 5 percent of persons age 30-39." (p. 32)

United States General Accounting Office. (2001). Older workers demographic trends pose challenges for employers and workers (GAO No. 02-85). Washington, D.C.: General Accounting Office. Retrieved December 1, 2007 from http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d0285.pdf 

This report "analyzed data from multiple years of the Current Population Survey (CPS), the Displaced Workers Supplement to the CPS (DWS), and the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and developed a projection method, based on BLS methodology, for estimating the age and occupational structure of the labor force and the relative wage structure in 2008."

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1744

A study evaluating the relationship between health, work environment, and retirement-related job lock finds that "86% of respondents over the age of 55 [who experienced a workplace injury] felt as though they could still keep up with their work and that their health would not prevent them from working." (p. 10)

Katy, L. B., Pransky, G., & Savageau, J. A. (n.d.) Factors associated with retirement-related job lock in older workers with recent occupational injury [unpublished manuscript]

"Workers completed a mailed, self-report survey about their pre- and post-injury health and functioning, work environment, and retirement plans.  Bivariate and multivariate analyses determined those factors associated with retirement-related job lock. A total of 1,524 (51%) questionnaires were returned.  Overall response rate, excluding those who could not be contacted or were found to be ineligible for the study, was 53%."

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1721

Based on analysis of the 2002-04 UnumProvident Disability Database, "workers over the age of 40 account for 50% of all received short-term disability (STD) claims, and up to 75% of all received long-term disability (LTD) claims. Thirty-four percent of LTD claims come from workers in the 50-59 age group. Only 12% of LTD claims are being generated by workers aged 60 and over." (Fig. 2.3, p. 5)

UnumProvident Company. (2005). Health and productivity in the aging American workforce: Realities and opportunities. Chattanooga, TN: UnumProvident Company.

"Data for this publication was generated by using UnumProvident's disability database."

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1720

The adjusted mean lost productive time (LPT*) for a family health reason was significantly higher in younger (less than 40 years of age) than older workers (40 or more years old). For example, 2.7% of workers between the ages of 30-39 reported 2 or more LPT hours per week, compared to 1.02% of workers aged 50-65. The percentage of workers between the ages of 18-39 who reported more than 2 hours of lost productive time (LPT) was 2.51 while the same figure for workers between the ages of 40-65 was 1.49. (Table 2, p. 1239)

*The components of LPT are absence time for personal health reasons, reduced performance time while at work for personal health reasons, and absence time for family health reasons.

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., & Morganstein, D. (2003). Lost productive work time costs from health conditions in the United States: Results from the American productivity audit. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 45(12), 1234-1246.

This 2001-02 study used telephone interviews to complete the American Productivity Audit (APA) to gain data on the impact of health conditions on worker productivity in terms of lost productive time (LPT). Over 28,000 surveys were completed over a one-year span and the data analyzed to determine average lost productive time for different variable groups, such as age group, gender, region of residence, respondent work status in last week for pay/profit, and number of hours missed from work in the last week by respondent.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1696

In a 2005 survey of workers aged 55 or older who experienced a workplace injury, 47% lost at least 1 day of work due to their work injury. (p. 288)

Pransky, G. S., Benjamin, K. L., & Savageau, J. A. (2005). Early retirement due to occupational injury: Who is at risk? American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 47, 285-295.

A self-report survey about occupational, health, and financial outcomes, and related fators was administered 2-8 weeks post-injury to New Hampshire workers aged <55 and >= 55 who had experienced workplace injuries in 2000-2002. Responses from 1032 workers who had lost time from work due to those injuries were analyzed for this study.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1674

According to a 2007 national study, late-career employees are thought to be less likely to take a lot of time from work to deal with personal of family issues, such as child care of eldercare compared to mid- and early-career employees. 26.9% of employers reported that it is "true/very true" that late career employees want to take time off for family care, compared to 33.9% for mid- and 29.6% for early-career. (p. 20)

Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Smyer, M. A., Matz-Costa, C., & Kane, K. (2007). The national study report: Phase II of the national study of business strategy and workforce development (Research Highlight No. 04). Chestnut Hill, MA: The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved August 22, 2007 from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/RH04_NationalStudy_03-07_004.pdf

The National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development is a 2007 study carried out by The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility at Boston College. Human resource professionals at 578 non-governmental organizations with 50 or more employees completed a survey about their organization's response to the aging workforce. At these organizations, approximately three-fourths of the employees were full-time, almost half were women and one-third were members of a racial/ethnic minority group.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1673

According to a 2007 national study, 20.7% of employers responded that their late-career employees have high rates of absenteeism due to illness, compared to 16.9% of mid-career and 26.5% of early-career employees. (p. 20)

Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Smyer, M. A., Matz-Costa, C., & Kane, K. (2007). The national study report: Phase II of the national study of business strategy and workforce development (Research Highlight No. 04). Chestnut Hill, MA: The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved August 22, 2007 from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/RH04_NationalStudy_03-07_004.pdf

The National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development is a 2007 study carried out by The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility at Boston College. Human resource professionals at 578 non-governmental organizations with 50 or more employees completed a survey about their organization's response to the aging workforce. At these organizations, approximately three-fourths of the employees were full-time, almost half were women and one-third were members of a racial/ethnic minority group.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1604

In the 2007 National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development, 26.5% of employers responded that it is "true/very true" that early-career employees have a high rate of absenteeism due to illness, compared to 16.9% for mid- and 20.7% for late-career employees. (p. 20)

Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Smyer, M. A., Matz-Costa, C., & Kane, K. (2007). The national study report: Phase II of the national study of business strategy and workforce development (Research Highlight No. 04). Chestnut Hill, MA: The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved August 22, 2007 from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/RH04_NationalStudy_03-07_004.pdf



The National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development is a 2007 study carried out by The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility at Boston College. Human resource professionals at 578 non-governmental organizations with 50 or more employees completed a survey about their organization's response to the aging workforce. At these organizations, approximately three-fourths of the employees were full-time, almost half were women and one-third were members of a racial/ethnic minority group.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1584

According to analysis of the National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development, the top five business strategies that were very important for organizations were increasing sales (68.1%), management of workforce talent  (59.1%), increasing productivity through efficiency (50.3%), expanding market niche (48.5%), and cost leadership (reducing operational expenses) (47.4%). (p. 6)




Pitt-Catsouphes, M., Smyer, M. A., Matz-Costa, C., & Kane, K. (2007). The national study report: Phase II of the national study of business strategy and workforce development (Research Highlight No. 04). Chestnut Hill, MA: The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility. Retrieved August 22, 2007 from http://agingandwork.bc.edu/documents/RH04_NationalStudy_03-07_004.pdf



The National Study of Business Strategy and Workforce Development is a 2007 study carried out by The Center on Aging & Work/Workplace Flexibility at Boston College. Human resource professionals at 578 non-governmental organizations with 50 or more employees completed a survey about their organization's response to the aging workforce. At these organizations, approximately three-fourths of the employees were full-time, almost half were women and one-third were members of a racial/ethnic minority group.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 819

According to the 2003 Eldercare Survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 13% of HR professionals stated that the overall employees in their organization have "turned down advancement opportunities due to eldercare issues;" 87% of overall employees report they have not. (Table 10, p.12)


Society for Human Resource Management. (2003, December). 2003 Eldercare Survey. Alexandria, VA: Burke, E. M.

“In June 2003, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a survey on eldercare. The impact of eldercare issues on the workforce is an area of growing concern for employers and HR professionals. As more people are dealing with eldercare issues, these issues have begun to impact the workplace and are expected to increase in the years to come. The survey explored current eldercare policies and benefits, the effect of eldercare issues on workers, as well as definitions of an elder, and views of eldercare as an employer issue. The following report provides an analysis of the results. An e-mail with the survey’s Web address was sent to 2,000 randomly selected SHRM members. Of these, 1,725 were successfully delivered to respondents, and 289 HR professionals responded, yielding a response rate of 17%. The report analyzes the results of the survey. The results are analyzed first by overall responses and then by industry and organization size... “

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 806

According to the 2003 Eldercare Survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 3% of HR professionals strongly disagreed with the statement "eldercare issues can inhibit an employee's career growth/advancement opportunities;" 19% of HR professionals disagreed, 32% of HR professionals were neutral, 41% of HR professionals agreed, and 4% of HR professionals strongly agreed. (Table 4, p.7)

Society for Human Resource Management. (2003, December). 2003 Eldercare Survey. Alexandria, VA: Burke, E. M.

“In June 2003, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a survey on eldercare. The impact of eldercare issues on the workforce is an area of growing concern for employers and HR professionals. As more people are dealing with eldercare issues, these issues have begun to impact the workplace and are expected to increase in the years to come. The survey explored current eldercare policies and benefits, the effect of eldercare issues on workers, as well as definitions of an elder, and views of eldercare as an employer issue. The following report provides an analysis of the results. An e-mail with the survey’s Web address was sent to 2,000 randomly selected SHRM members. Of these, 1,725 were successfully delivered to respondents, and 289 HR professionals responded, yielding a response rate of 17%. The report analyzes the results of the survey. The results are analyzed first by overall responses and then by industry and organization size... “

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 802

According to the 2003 Eldercare Survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 10% of HR professionals reported their organization has seen "missed appointments/meetings" due to eldercare issues. (Table 3, p.6)

Society for Human Resource Management. (2003, December). 2003 Eldercare Survey. Alexandria, VA: Burke, E. M.

“In June 2003, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a survey on eldercare. The impact of eldercare issues on the workforce is an area of growing concern for employers and HR professionals. As more people are dealing with eldercare issues, these issues have begun to impact the workplace and are expected to increase in the years to come. The survey explored current eldercare policies and benefits, the effect of eldercare issues on workers, as well as definitions of an elder, and views of eldercare as an employer issue. The following report provides an analysis of the results. An e-mail with the survey’s Web address was sent to 2,000 randomly selected SHRM members. Of these, 1,725 were successfully delivered to respondents, and 289 HR professionals responded, yielding a response rate of 17%. The report analyzes the results of the survey. The results are analyzed first by overall responses and then by industry and organization size... “

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 801

According to the 2003 Eldercare Survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 16% of HR professionals reported their organization has seen "strained employee/manager relationships" due to eldercare issues. (Table 3, p.6)

Society for Human Resource Management. (2003, December). 2003 Eldercare Survey. Alexandria, VA: Burke, E. M.

“In June 2003, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a survey on eldercare. The impact of eldercare issues on the workforce is an area of growing concern for employers and HR professionals. As more people are dealing with eldercare issues, these issues have begun to impact the workplace and are expected to increase in the years to come. The survey explored current eldercare policies and benefits, the effect of eldercare issues on workers, as well as definitions of an elder, and views of eldercare as an employer issue. The following report provides an analysis of the results. An e-mail with the survey’s Web address was sent to 2,000 randomly selected SHRM members. Of these, 1,725 were successfully delivered to respondents, and 289 HR professionals responded, yielding a response rate of 17%. The report analyzes the results of the survey. The results are analyzed first by overall responses and then by industry and organization size... “

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 800

According to the 2003 Eldercare Survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 28% of HR professionals reported their organization has seen "scheduling difficulties" due to eldercare issues. (Table 3, p.6)

Society for Human Resource Management. (2003, December). 2003 Eldercare Survey. Alexandria, VA: Burke, E. M.

“In June 2003, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a survey on eldercare. The impact of eldercare issues on the workforce is an area of growing concern for employers and HR professionals. As more people are dealing with eldercare issues, these issues have begun to impact the workplace and are expected to increase in the years to come. The survey explored current eldercare policies and benefits, the effect of eldercare issues on workers, as well as definitions of an elder, and views of eldercare as an employer issue. The following report provides an analysis of the results. An e-mail with the survey’s Web address was sent to 2,000 randomly selected SHRM members. Of these, 1,725 were successfully delivered to respondents, and 289 HR professionals responded, yielding a response rate of 17%. The report analyzes the results of the survey. The results are analyzed first by overall responses and then by industry and organization size... “

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1697

In a 2005 survey of workers aged 55 or older who experienced a workplace injury that resulted in at least one day of lost work, 34% of the injuries involved upper extremities and 25% were back injuries. (p. 288)

Pransky, G. S., Benjamin, K. L., & Savageau, J. A. (2005). Early retirement due to occupational injury: Who is at risk? American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 47, 285.

A self-report survey about occupational, health, and financial outcomes, and related fators was administered 2-8 weeks post-injury to New Hampshire workers aged <55 and >= 55 who had experienced workplace injuries in 2000-2002. Responses from 1032 workers who had lost time from work due to those injuries were analyzed for this study.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1698

In a 2005 survey of workers aged 55 or older who experienced a workplace injury and lost at least one day of work, 11% reported intent to retire earlier due to their injury. (p. 291)

Pransky, G. S., Benjamin, K. L., & Savageau, J. A. (2005). Early retirement due to occupational injury: Who is at risk? American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 47, 285.

A self-report survey about occupational, health, and financial outcomes, and related fators was administered 2-8 weeks post-injury to New Hampshire workers aged <55 and >= 55 who had experienced workplace injuries in 2000-2002. Responses from 1032 workers who had lost time from work due to those injuries were analyzed for this study.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1719

According to the 2001-02 American Productivity Audit, "50-65 year olds reported only two-thirds of the lost productive time (LPT*) [due to health reasons] compared with those less than 30 years of age." (p. 1237)

*The components of LPT are absence time for personal health reasons, reduced performance time while at work for personal health reasons, and absence time for family health reasons.

Stewart, W. F., Ricci, J. A., Chee, E., & Morganstein, D. (2003). Lost productive work time costs from health conditions in the United States: Results from the American productivity audit. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 45(12), 1234-1246.

This 2001-02 study used telephone interviews to complete the American Productivity Audit (APA) to gain data on the impact of health conditions on worker productivity in terms of lost productive time (LPT). Over 28,000 surveys were completed over a one-year span and the data analyzed to determine average lost productive time for different variable groups, such as age group, gender, region of residence, respondent work status in last week for pay/profit, and number of hours missed from work in the last week by respondent.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1718

Among 16,000 workers participating in a survey at a large company, caregivers reported an average of 7.7 hours absent from work during the 2-week study period. Among older workers (aged 55-64), female older workers reported 7.7 hours away from work for caregiving and male older workers reported 4.0 hours during the two week period. (Fig. 1, p. 1052)

Burton, W. N., Chen, C. Y., Conti, D. J., Pransky, G., & Edington, D. W. (2004). Caregiving for ill dependents and its association with employee health risks and productivity. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 46(10), 1048-1056.

This study examined the loss of productivity and health risk status associated with employees who provide care for an ill dependent. A total of 16,651 employees aged 16-64 (average38.9) of a major financial services company completed a confidential Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) that included an eight-item version of the Work Limitations Questionnaire and a self-report of time missed from work during the previous 2-week period to care for an ill dependent.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1717

Among 16,000 workers participating in a survey at a large company, approximately 5% of older workers (aged 55-64) reported being absent from work to care for an ill family member during the 2-week study period, compared to 10.6% of the workers overall. (p. 1048)

Burton, W. N., Chen, C. Y., Conti, D. J., Pransky, G., & Edington, D. W. (2004). Caregiving for ill dependents and its association with employee health risks and productivity. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 46(10), 1048-1056.

This study examined the loss of productivity and health risk status associated with employees who provide care for an ill dependent. A total of 16,651 employees aged 16-64 (average 38.9) of a major financial services company completed a confidential Health Risk Appraisal (HRA) that included an eight-item version of the Work Limitations Questionnaire and a self-report of time missed from work during the previous 2-week period to care for an ill dependent.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1716

Among older workers in a 2004 study on work limitations due to illness, arthritis was reported by 28% of workers aged 50-54, 34% of those aged 55-59, and 43% of those aged 60-64. Approximately half of those in each age group reported receiving medical care for arthritis. Those with arthritis but not receiving care or medication had significantly higher odds of reporting a work limitation. (p. 136)

Burton, W. N., Chen, C. Y., Schultz, A. B., Conti, D. J., Pransky, G., & Edington, D. W. (2006). Worker productivity loss associated with arthritis. Disease Management : DM, 9(3), 131-143.

This study at a major financial services corporation sought to investigate the association of arthritis with on-the-job productivity, also termed "presenteeism." Of the 16,651 qualified respondents between the ages of 16-64 (average 38.9) to a modified 2002 Work Limitations Questionnaire, 14.8% reported having arthritis. Within this subgroup, the study analyzed data to determine how arthritis affects productivity across 4 domains: physical, time, mental, & output.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1714

Among all workers [all ages combined] in a 2004 study who reported having at least one medical condition for which they are being treated by a physician, 25.4% reported experiencing limitations in time management due to their health; 21.7% reported impairment in physical work activities due to their health, 40.6% reported health-related limitations in mental/interpersonal activities, and 31.9% reported health-related limitations in their overall output. (p. S40)

Burton, W. N., Pransky, G., Conti, D. J., Chen, C. Y., & Edington, D. W. (2004). The association of medical conditions and presenteeism. Journal of Occupational and Environmental medicine / American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 46(6 Suppl), S38-45.

This study utilized a Work Limitations Questionnaire completed by 16,651 employees between the ages of 16-64 (average 38.9) of a large financial services firm to examine which chronic illnesses have the largest effect on increased presenteeism (productivity is lost while the employee is still at work but impaired due to health problems).

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1709

According to the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, 95.2% of respondents aged 18-44 years old reported that they were "not limited in work" because of physical, mental or emotional problems. Similarly, no limitations in work were reported by 86.8% of those aged 45-64 and 80.9% of those aged 65-69 years old. (Table 6, p. 21)

Adams, P. F., Dey, A. N., & Vickerie, J. L. (2007). Summary health statistics for the U.S. population: National health interview survey, 2005. Vital and health statistics.Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey(233), 1-104.

NHIS is a household, multistage probability sample survey conducted annually by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. In 2005, household interviews were completed for 98,649 persons living in 38,509 households, reflecting a household response rate of 86.5%. This paper reflects the survey's findings.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1708

According to the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, 2.9% of repondents 18-44 years old reported themselves as "unable to work" due to a physical, mental or emotional problem. That figure was 8.9% for those 45-64 years old and 10.9% for those 65-69 years old. About 2.0% of respondents reported themselves as "limited in work" due to a physical, mental or emotional problem, compared to 4.4% of those 45-64 years old and 8.2% of those 65-69 years old. (Table 6, p. 21)




Adams, P. F., Dey, A. N., & Vickerie, J. L. (2007). Summary health statistics for the U.S. population: National health interview survey, 2005. Vital and health statistics.Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey(233), 1-104.

NHIS is a household, multistage probability sample survey conducted annually by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. In 2005, household interviews were completed for 98,649 persons living in 38,509 households, reflecting a household response rate of 86.5%. This paper reflects the survey's findings.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1707

According to the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, 6.0% of adults ages 18 to 44 reported that they must limit their participation in "usual activities" -- such as work, school, and play -- for health reasons. The proportion of adults who have to limit their activities for health reasons was higher for older age groups, with 15.7% of adults ages 45 to 64 and 25.8% of adults ages 65 to 74 years reporting limitations. (Table 4, p. 15)

Adams, P. F., Dey, A. N., & Vickerie, J. L. (2007). Summary health statistics for the U.S. population: National health interview survey, 2005. Vital and health statistics.Series 10, Data from the National Health Survey(233), 1-104.

NHIS is a household, multistage probability sample survey conducted annually by interviewers of the U.S. Census Bureau for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. In 2005, household interviews were completed for 98,649 persons living in 38,509 households, reflecting a household response rate of 86.5%. This paper reflects the survey's findings.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1705

According to a 2005 work-related injuries survey, twice as many younger workers (under 55) felt they should have returned to their jobs later than was recommended by their medical care provider compared to workers aged 55 or over. (17% vs. 8% respectively). (p. 108)

Pransky, G. S., Benjamin, K. L., Savageau, J. A., Currivan, D., & Fletcher, K. (2005). Outcomes in work-related injuries: A comparison of older and younger workers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 47(2), 104-112.

A self-report survey about occupational, health, and financial outcomes, and related fators was administered 2-8 weeks post-injury to New Hampshire workers aged <55 and >= 55 who had experienced workplace injuries in 2000-2002. Responses from 1032 workers who had lost time from work due to those injuries were analyzed for this study.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1704

According to a 2005 work-related injuries survey, older workers (over 55) were slightly more likely to report working fewer hours due to the injury (13.7%) compared to workers aged 55 or under (10.2%). (p. 108)

Pransky, G. S., Benjamin, K. L., Savageau, J. A., Currivan, D., & Fletcher, K. (2005). Outcomes in work-related injuries: A comparison of older and younger workers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 47(2), 104-112.

A self-report survey about occupational, health, and financial outcomes, and related fators was administered 2-8 weeks post-injury to New Hampshire workers aged <55 and >= 55 who had experienced workplace injuries in 2000-2002. Responses from 1032 workers who had lost time from work due to those injuries were analyzed for this study.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 1703

According to a 2005 work-related injuries survey, 79% of workers over the age of 55 had returned to work after their injury, compared to 84% of workers under 55; this difference was not significant. The mean duration of work disability was 11 days for both groups. (p. 108)

Pransky, G. S., Benjamin, K. L., Savageau, J. A., Currivan, D., & Fletcher, K. (2005). Outcomes in work-related injuries: A comparison of older and younger workers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 47(2), 104-112.

A self-report survey about occupational, health, and financial outcomes, and related fators was administered 2-8 weeks post-injury to New Hampshire workers aged <55 and >= 55 who had experienced workplace injuries in 2000-2002. Responses from 1032 workers who had lost time from work due to those injuries were analyzed for this study.

Peformance, Productivity, Absenteeism

Statistic # 775

According to the 2003 Eldercare Survey conducted by Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), “eldercare issues indicate a negative impact on an employee’s productivity even when he or she is physically present in the office. Forty-four percent of respondents report workday interruptions as a result of eldercare issues; 41% report mental/concentration problems; and 37% report excessive personal phone calls/business during work hours.” (p.6)

Society for Human Resource Management. (2003, December). 2003 Eldercare Survey. Alexandria, VA: Burke, E. M.

“In June 2003, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) conducted a survey on eldercare. The impact of eldercare issues on the workforce is an area of growing concern for employers and HR professionals. As more people are dealing with eldercare issues, these issues have begun to impact the workplace and are expected to increase in the years to come. The survey explored current eldercare policies and benefits, the effect of eldercare issues on workers, as well as definitions of an elder, and views of eldercare as an employer issue. The following report provides an analysis of the results. An e-mail with the survey’s Web address was sent to 2,000 randomly selected SHRM members. Of these, 1,725 were successfully delivered to respondents, and 289 HR professionals responded, yielding a response rate of 17%. The report analyzes the results of the survey. The results are analyzed first by overall responses and then by industry and organization size... “