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Imitation, Contagion, or Exertion? Using a Tax Reform to Reveal How Colleagues' Sick Leaves Influence Worker Behaviour

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  • Harald Dale-Olsen
  • Kjersti Misje Østbakken
  • Pål Schøne

Abstract

We analyse the social interaction effects in sick-leave behaviour in the workplace, using high-quality Norwegian matched employer–employee data with detailed individual information on sick leaves during the 2004–2006 period. We find that social interaction effects in sick-leave behaviour in the workplace do exist, and that the effects are noticeable in size. The strong relationship between the sick-leave rates among colleagues is not solely the result of contagious diseases, nor is it caused by improved informational quality or by the increased workload for the non-absent workers. Evidence supports the existence of reciprocal worker behaviour that is unrelated to joint leisure-seeking activities.

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  • Harald Dale-Olsen & Kjersti Misje Østbakken & Pål Schøne, 2015. "Imitation, Contagion, or Exertion? Using a Tax Reform to Reveal How Colleagues' Sick Leaves Influence Worker Behaviour," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 117(1), pages 57-83, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:scandj:v:117:y:2015:i:1:p:57-83
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/sjoe.12082
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    Cited by:

    1. Elena Grinza & François Rycx, 2020. "The Impact of Sickness Absenteeism on Firm Productivity: New Evidence from Belgian Matched Employer–Employee Panel Data," Industrial Relations: A Journal of Economy and Society, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 59(1), pages 150-194, January.
    2. Godøy, Anna & Dale-Olsen, Harald, 2018. "Spillovers from gatekeeping – Peer effects in absenteeism," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 167(C), pages 190-204.

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