A recent national survey conducted by Harris Interactive regarding pain in the workplace illustrates the impact of chronic pain among employees and employers.
The survey, sponsored by PRICARA®, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc, in partnership with the National Pain Foundation (NPF), revealed the significant impact of chronic pain on productivity and highlighted the need for appropriate management of moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults. This survey is an update to the 1996 Louis Harris & Associates survey on the subject, sponsored by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical®, Division of Ortho-McNeil-Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
| A comparison of findings on pain in the workplace: 1996 versus 2006* | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Condition | 1996 | 2006 | Key Findings |
| Chronic Pain** on the Job | 13% | 18% | There was a rise of 38% in chronic pain among the entire U.S. full-time workforce. |
| 19% | 26% | Among employees who reported pain, there was a rise of 37% in those who reported their pain was chronic. | |
| Sick Days Due to Pain | 15% | 19% | Among employees living with pain, there was a rise of 27% in the number who called in sick for five or more days due to pain-related conditions, in the past 12 months. |
| Impact on Productivity | 69% | 65% | Majority of employers surveyed cited pain-related conditions as a cause of lost productivity in the workplace. |
| Worksite Wellness Programs | 40% | 66% | Worksite wellness programs have increased 65%. |
| New 2006 survey questions explore presenteeism*** in the workplace | ||
|---|---|---|
| Condition | 2006 | Key Findings |
| Work Attendance | 95% | 95% of employees with chronic pain said their pain must be moderately to very severe to cause them to stay home from work. |
| Presenteeism | 89% | 89% of full-time employees living with chronic pain said they typically go to work rather than stay at home when they experienced pain. |
| Pain at Work | 89% | 89% of full-time employees living with chronic pain experienced pain at work. |
| Impact on Work | 46% | 46% of employees with chronic pain said their pain often or sometimes affects their ability to perform their job. |
| Chronic Pain Wellness Programs | 22% | In 2006, only 22% of wellness programs included a component about preventing or living with chronic pain conditions. |
Data from Employee Survey
Data from Employer Survey
* The methodologies for the 1996 and 2006 surveys were identical and allow for accurate comparisons to be made between the data sets.
** Pain that persists for six months or more, as defined by the survey.
*** Presenteeism is defined as lost productivity that occurs when employees come to work but perform below par due to problems such as illness, injury and stress.
