Is the Ethical Culture of the Organization Associated with Sickness Absence? A Multilevel Analysis in a Public Sector Organization

Maiju Kangas (), Joona Muotka (), Mari Huhtala (), Anne Mäkikangas () and Taru Feldt ()
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Maiju Kangas: University of Jyväskylä
Joona Muotka: University of Jyväskylä
Mari Huhtala: University of Jyväskylä
Anne Mäkikangas: University of Jyväskylä
Taru Feldt: University of Jyväskylä

Journal of Business Ethics, 2017, vol. 140, issue 1, No 9, 145 pages

Abstract: Abstract The main aim of the present study was to examine whether an ethical organizational culture is associated with sickness absence in a Finnish public sector organization at both the individual (within-level) and work unit (between-level) levels. The underlying assumption was that employees working for organizations that are characterized by a strong ethical organizational culture report less sickness absence. The sample consisted of 2192 employees from one public sector city organization that included 246 different work units. Ethical organizational culture was measured with the Corporate Ethical Virtues scale covering eight sub-dimensions. Sickness absence was inquired by asking the participants to report how many days they had been absent from work because of their own sickness over the past year. Multilevel structural equation modelling showed that, at the individual level, perceptions of a strong ethical organizational culture were associated with less sickness absences after controlling for the background factors. This link was not found at the work-unit level. The findings indicate that an ethical organizational culture plays a significant role in enhancing employee well-being measured as sickness absence. It seems that especially supervisor’s ethical role modeling and possibilities to discuss about ethical issues are important factors in preventing sickness absence in the organizations.

Keywords: Ethical organizational culture; Sickness absence; Multilevel study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-015-2644-y

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