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50
Common Causes of Absence
(i) The Common Cold caused 754 spells of absence Involving a loss of 2,501 days. However,
601 spells consisted of absence only involving a loss of between one to three days.
This accounts for the comparatively small number of days lost. The common cold was
the only disease where the absence rate was higher in non-manual workers than manual
workers. It appeared to affect older workers less than the younger, but this is probably
due to complications arising in older persons resulting in a diagnosis of another respiratory
disease such as bronchitis.
(II) Bronchitis (485 spells, 10,544 days)
The average absence of manual workers was much greater than was non-manual workers
(approximately four times.) As would be expected, greater absence occurred in the older
manual worker. Bronchitis appeared to be heaviest among refuse disposal works labourers
and plant attendants. Park keepers and gardeners then follow with the next highest
average number of days absence although the increased incidence in park keepers is
largely accounted for by the high proportion of older workers. There was no significant
difference between established and unestablished workers.
(III) Influenza (566 spells, 6,709 days)
As is so well known influenza is no respecter of persons when an epidemic is widespread,
and large numbers of persons suffer from this highly infectious disease in all age groups
and trades. There are no significant conclusions, therefore, to draw from the absenteeism
due to this cause in established and unestablished workers. It can be said, however,
that the absence in non-manual workers was less than half of that in the manual workers.
It is considered that because of the heavier nature of their work, manual workers must be
fully fit before returning to duty, whereas the non-manual workers are able to return to
duty sooner, with less convalescence.
(iv) Rheumatism and Aithrius (381 spells, 5,371 days)
As can be expected absence among non-manual workers was considerably less than manual
workers. It was anticipated that those with arduous physical occupations would show
high average of absence due to these causes, but it was not found to be greatly so. In
this instance, the average absence of established staff was greater than unestablished
7.2 days compared with 4.7 days. Street orderlies had nearly double the average period
of absence. Painters, and building trade andrefuse destructor labourers showed a slightly
above average absence due to these diseases. A steady rise is shown in the period of
absence as the age of the worker increases, this trend is applicable to both established
and unestablished workers.