Commuting time and sickness absence in China: Rural/urban variations and Hukou impacts

Abstract

This article addresses three main issues: the relationship between commute time and sickness absence, the heterogeneity of the commuting–absenteeism effect between rural migrants and urban citizens, and the effect of China’s Hukou system on the commuting–absenteeism effect. It applies a unique set of employer–employee matched data in China and a zero-inflated negative binomial model. We find clear evidence that a longer commuting time contributes to an increase in sickness absence. The heterogeneity of the commuting–absenteeism effect can also be confirmed: longer commuting leads to higher absence rates for urban citizens but not for rural migrants. Furthermore, we explore the effect of commuting on a set of health-related outcomes. The estimations demonstrate that commuting time has a significant impact on health-related outcomes for both migrants and urban citizens, but unequal access to housing provision and to social health insurance in the Hukou system may mean that rural migrants resort to more informal medical services and thus lack access to the official sickness certificate required to seek legal sickness absence. We recommend accelerated reform of the Hukou system to encourage rural workers to seek appropriate and timely medical services, thereby reducing public health risks. JEL Codes: I12, I14, J83, N35, N75

Do differences in work disability duration by interjurisdictional claim status vary by industry and jurisdictional context?

“…Furthermore, research elsewhere has shown that increased sickness absences are associated with longer commuting times [24,25], and longer commuting distances [26].…”

The Effect of Commuting Time on Job Stress in Obese Men With Different Exercise Frequency in China

“…Previous studies on the physical and psychological health of workers have largely focused on the separate impacts of commuting time, work stress, and physical exercise on employees’ health ( M. Guo et al, 2020 ; Sha et al, 2019a ; Sun et al, 2020 ; Xu et al, 2017 ). Less attention has been paid to the interaction of all three and to the impact of physical exercise on commuting time.…”

“…Commuting time and traffic congestion have become significant factors affecting people’s physical and mental well-being ( Dickerson et al, 2014 ; Xu et al, 2013 ). Longer commutes have a positive effect on employees’ absenteeism due to illness ( M. Guo et al, 2020 ). Hansson et al (2011) found that there is a relationship between public transport commuting time and negative health outcomes.…”

“…A lengthy commuting time also has a deleterious effect on various daily activities. It has been shown to increase psychosomatic complaints and difficulties in family and social life ( M. Guo et al, 2020 ; Sha et al, 2019b ; Sun et al, 2020 ). Sha et al (2019b) found that people who commute for a long time are more likely to feel dissatisfied or complain about work.…”

“… Sha et al (2019b) found that people who commute for a long time are more likely to feel dissatisfied or complain about work. Chinese work longer hours on average, and long commutes may have even more serious effects on health and relationships ( M. Guo et al, 2020 ). Sha et al (2019a) found that commuters who commute for more than 90 min are associated with obesity.…”