Working Papers, Swedish National Road & Transport Research Institute (VTI)
No 2010:3:
Is sick absence related to commuting travel time? - Swedish Evidence Based on the Generalized Propensity Score Estimator
Anders Karlström ()
and Gunnar Isacsson ()
Abstract: This paper focuses on the effects of commuting time on
sickness insurance utilization by applying a generalized propensity score
estimator to a large sample of Swedish employees. We analyse the effect of
commuting time both on the probability of using sickness insurance at all
and on the probability that an individual on sick leave is on so-called
partial sick leave rather than being completely absent from work. Insurance
utilization is in both cases defined as being ill for more than 14 days.
The results indicate, in general, that individuals do not use sickness
insurance because of their commuting time. However, commuting time seems to
increase the risk of being on sick leave among females with relatively low
annual wage earnings. The results indicate, furthermore, a relatively weak
and negative relationship between the probability of being on partial sick
leave and commuting time in the group of individuals who have utilized
sickness insurance. The latter result applies to both men and women.
Keywords: Commuting time; Sick absence; General propensity score estimator; (follow links to similar papers)
JEL-Codes: C21; H55; (follow links to similar papers)
31 pages, May 15, 2009
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