Work Ability Index (WAI)

The Work Ability Index (WAI) is a diagnostic tool designed to assess the work ability of employed individuals. The concept behind the WAI is based on the understanding that work ability is influenced by various factors, which are captured through a structured questionnaire. The primary goal of the WAI is to evaluate employees’ subjective perceptions of their current and future work ability, enabling the early identification of work-related health risks and the implementation of appropriate preventive measures.

The WAI assesses seven key dimensions: current work ability compared to the individual’s lifetime best, current work ability in relation to the physical and psychological demands of the job, the number of medically diagnosed diseases, the extent of sick leave over the past 12 months, self-assessment of work ability over the next two years, and mental resources and overall well-being.

The questionnaire is available in both a short and long version, differing in the number of illness categories assessed. The results are calculated into an index score, with a higher score indicating better work ability. Research indicates that the WAI has good concordance with clinical study results and achieves acceptable to good reliability values. The WAI is also a strong predictor of impending work disability and is often used as a basis for targeted risk assessments.Despite its advantages, the WAI has some limitations. It does not capture specific occupational stressors and job demands, which raises concerns about its validity in certain contexts. Additionally, the comprehensive nature of the questionnaire can affect its practicality. Nonetheless, the WAI remains a valuable tool for assessing and promoting work ability among employees.