This work describes the socio-demographic characteristics of health care workers, their work, and the incidence of sick leave in a public hospital in the State of Bahia, Brazil during the period between July 1, 2005 and June 30, 2006. Data was collected from the personnel department register, from doctors' statements for the leave, and from a document issued by the Bahia State Health Department. The results showed an average of 2.31 doctors' statements per worker. Among 837 workers, 31.9% were absent at least once due to illness, during the mentioned period. Of these, 91.0% were women; 60.7% ≥ 40 years old; 60% had been working at the institution for ≥ 12.5 years; 70% were permanent civil servants covered by a specific pay system; 59.5% worked 40 hours a week. Most of the absentees belonged to the nursing staff and worked either in the emergency ward or in the ICU. We expect that this study will encourage new discussions on the characteristics of hospital work, will incite the implementation of workers' health services in the hospital studied and new research on the issue.
health care worker; sick leave; hospital
