The more job control an employee has, the less likely they are to call in sick.

A University of Western Australia study found the best way to prevent long term absences by workers with lower back pain was to give them a sense of empowerment in the workplace, coupled with regular follow-ups to their GPs.

Other successful measures included talking to a supervisor, and modifying work hours and breaks.

Back pain is the most common site of pain for people of working age.