Perceived Age Discrimination at Work and Subsequent Long-Term Sickness Absence Among Finnish Employees

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the association of perceived age discrimination at work with subsequent long-term sickness absence among Finnish employees. METHODS:A representative sample of Finnish employees (n = 6322) was merged with register-based follow-up data. A negative binomial model was used in the analysis of subsequent sickness absence days. RESULTS:Perceived age discrimination was associated to long-term sickness absence after controlling various background, work, and health-related factors. CONCLUSIONS:Age discrimination at work is a significant risk factor for sickness absence.