Workplace injustice and self-reported disease and absenteeism in South Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This study investigated whether experience of workplace injustice was

associated with self-reported occupational health using a nationally

representative sample of Korean workers. METHODS: We used the first wave of the

Korean Working Conditions Survey (KWCS) and included 7,007 wage employees as the

study population. Workplace injustice included the experience of discrimination,

violence, or harassment, and occupational health was measured as self-reported

health problems and absenteeism. Personal, occupational, and job-related

characteristics were included as covariates. RESULTS: An average of 7.2% of

workers reported experiencing at least one workplace injustice over the past 12

months. Female workers were significantly more likely to experience age and

gender discrimination, and unwanted sexual attention than male workers. Both male

and female workers who experienced any workplace injustice (i.e., discrimination,

harassment, or violence) reported approximately two- to threefold increased risk

for physical and mental health problems (i.e., backaches, muscular pain, stomach

pain, overall fatigue, headaches, anxiety/depression, sleeping problems, and

injury) and absenteeism due to accidents or due to health problems. CONCLUSION:

Perceived injustice at work was significantly associated with an increased risk

of occupational disease and absenteeism for Korean wage employees.