Transformational leadership and workplace injury and absenteeism: analysis of a National Nursing Assistant Survey.

BACKGROUND Transformational leadership (TL) has long been popular among management scholars and health services researchers, but no research studies have empirically tested the association of TL with workplace injuries and absenteeism among nursing assistants (NAs). PURPOSE This cross-sectional study seeks to explore whether TL is associated with workplace injuries and absenteeism among NAs. METHODOLOGY We analyzed the 2004 National Nursing Assistant Survey data (n = 2,882). A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to test the role of TL in the context of workplace performances. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Results reveal that the TL model was positively linked to workplace injury in the level of NAs. Injury-related absenteeism was also associated with the TL style, indicating that TL behaviors may help address workplace absence among NAs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Findings suggest that introducing TL practices may benefit NAs in improving workplace performances.