Effect of a new internet-tool on health and sickness absence

Rationale: Frequent absenteeism is a problem for both employer and employee. In order to support employer and employee an internet tool has been developed.

Objective:
The main aim of the study is to compare the effects of the intervention on the frequency of absenteeism. A second aim is to test the effects of the treatment on frequence absence duration, burn-out, engagement and work ability.

Study design:
The study is an RCT with 1 control group and 2 intervention groups (1 with only the internet tool and one with internet tool and consultation with an occupational physician)
Study population:
Employees who were absent 3 or more times in the period between 15 november 2012 and 15 november 2013

Intervention:
The intervention is an internet tool developed based on various tools used within the field of occupational medicine

Main study parameters/endpoints:
The main study parameters are absence frequent, absence duration, burn-out, engagement and work ability

Frequent absenteeism is a problem for employers and employees.
The objective of the study is to research the effect of an internet-intervention (with and without consultation with the Occupational Physician) on the frequency of absenteeism

1 year (and 2 years) after start of study:

- sickness absence registration of occupational health provider

- UBOS questionnaire (burn-out)

- UWES questionnaire (engagement)

- WAI (1 question): work ability

Selfmanagement, internet-based tool, with additionally (in the second intervention group) an advisory consult with an occupational physician