NEW ZEALAND DATA:

PERSONS EMPLOYED AND TEMPORARILY ABSENT FROM WORK

(All absences of 1 hour or more)

Source: Household Labour Force Survey, presented in table 4.14, Labour Market Statistics 1994, Department of Statistics.

Illness or injury (thousands):

Average (Y/E March).......males.......females

1987..................................21.1..........13.8

1988..................................17.5..........11.7

1989..................................15.7..........10.6

1990..................................16.4..........12.7

1991..................................15.4..........11.3

1992..................................13.6..........10.6

1993..................................14.0..........11.7

1994..................................12.1..........11.6

Family responsibilities (thousands):

Average (Y/E March).......males.......females

1987...................................6.5...........6.7

1988...................................3.8...........5.7

1989...................................4.9...........5.2

1990...................................5.3...........5.6

1991...................................5.0...........6.7

1992...................................4.8...........5.9

1993...................................4.9...........5.7

1994...................................3.7...........6.3

The above figures, presented as percentages of the totals of males and females employed respectively are:

Illness or injury (% of m or f employed):

Average (Y/E March).......males.......females

1987.................................. 2.34%.....2.14%

1988.................................. 1.96%.....1.78%

1989.................................. 1.83%.....1.66%

1990.................................. 1.96%.....2.01%

1991.................................. 1.85%.....1.75%

1992.................................. 1.67%.....1.65%

1993.................................. 1.70%.....1.81%

1994.................................. 1.43%.....1.75%

Family responsibilities (% of m or f employed):

Average (Y/E March).......males.......females

1987................................... 0.72%....1.04%

1988................................... 0.42%....0.87%

1989................................... 0.57%....0.82%

1990................................... 0.63%....0.89%

1991................................... 0.60%....1.03%

1992................................... 0.59%....0.92%

1993................................... 0.60%....0.88%

1994................................... 0.44%....0.95%

Note that:

1. Rates of absence for illness or injury average out at approximately the same level for men and women. Men are concentrated in the more dangerous industries and occupations, and suffer more injuries in work. For New Zealand data, look here.

1. Women are disproportionately affected by absences due to family responsibilities.

Stuart Birks

Last updated 16 August, 1995