When discussing work-related injuries, special attention is often given to activities considered high risk. However, occupational injuries can also occur in sectors such as finance and insurance, where limited information exists regarding how long these injuries may keep employees away from work and the direct salary costs they generate. To better understand this issue, researchers analyzed occupational injuries recorded in the financial and insurance sector in the Metropolitan District of Quito.

The study included 409 non-fatal occupational injuries recorded between 2023 and 2024 that resulted in at least one day of temporary work disability. Researchers examined the duration of these disabilities, the time required for workers to return to their jobs, and the direct salary costs associated with the injuries.

One of the most significant findings was the location where the injuries occurred. Commuting accidents, defined as those occurring while traveling to or from work, accounted for 67.7% of the cases analyzed. Moreover, these accidents were associated with considerably longer periods of disability: the median duration was 44 days, compared to 6 days among workers who suffered injuries in the workplace. The location of the accident was also the only factor independently associated with the time required to return to work.

The difference was equally evident in direct salary costs. Commuting accidents generated an average direct salary cost of US$2,421 per case, compared to US$264 for injuries that occurred in the workplace. Overall, the estimated direct salary costs reached US$494,379, of which the General Occupational Risk Insurance System covered 97%, equivalent to US$479,617.

According to the authors, these findings indicate that occupational health and safety strategies in the financial and insurance sector should also address risks associated with commuting. The study further suggests that the current workers’ compensation framework creates an unequal distribution of the financial burden between employers and the social security system, since employers are only responsible for covering the first three days of temporary work disability.

Nevertheless, several questions remain unanswered. The researchers emphasize that future studies should incorporate clinical and psychological variables, as well as indirect costs, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of these injuries. They also recommend expanding research to other economic sectors and exploring additional factors associated with the return-to-work process.

To learn more about this study, readers can access the full article published in the Research and Innovation in Health Sciences Journal (RIICS) through the following link.

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