I’m only pointing out that there are many other plausible hypotheses that explain the difference, other than laziness. I don’t think they’re all equally likely! Nonetheless…

1) In terms of contracting illness the staff of hospitals, if they’re included, perhaps. Maybe the constant contact with others among frontline staff. Maybe even the culture of constant meetings allowing disease to spread more easily among deparments in Wellington!
2) I don’t know of any way to compare and I probably wouldn’t bet either way.
3) Of late there have been huge upheavals and very little job security in public sector agencies. I don’t know if that would be different, on average, to the private sector. Obviously, there is greater turnover of businesses in the private sector, but primarily among small firms, which affects few employees.
4) Interesting paper, thanks.

1) More dangerous (unlikely except for fire, police and the like)

2) Stressful (unlikely on average, or at least I’d bet against it)

3) More subject to reorganisation and change (perhaps nominally, but I’d bet against it in real terms, pretty heavily.)

I’d put money on your fourth explanation, except for that the public sector in New Zealand is paid MORE! http://offsettingbehaviour.blogspot.co.nz/2011/07/real-pay-equity-challenge.html

When I managed large teams of people I’d let one day of sickness go without reporting it because, frankly, the paperwork was such a PITA. I know many other managers do the same.

You see what I did there!