Research from PwC shows no significant difference in the diet and exercise habits between staff with high and low levels of absence - but it did draw links between the number of days off work for hospital visits and employees' sense of belonging in an organisation and satisfaction with their lifestyles.
But the survey of four local authorities found little correlation between mental health related-absence and work intensity or relationships with managers. But social habits and sleeping difficulties were linked to absence.
Of staff that had no absence in the past year, 61% exercised for more than half an hour three times a week and 70% were satisfied their manager gives them regular constructive feedback.
These findings come only days after research was released showing NHS staff take on average 12 days off sick each year compared with 7.2 days in the private sector.
Ian Tomlinson-Roe, partner at PwC, said: "The Government's public-health campaigns have had a heavy focus on people's eating and exercise habits but this research suggests there should be more focus on sociological, psychological and operational issues - failure to address these factors could result in spiralling health issues that are bad for business."
It is estimated the direct cost of hospital-related absences in an average local authority with 12,000 staff is £1.8 billion a year, according to PwC.
Public-sector absence rates are due more to social habits and psychological issues than diet and fitness
Psychological and sociological issues are bigger contributors to public-sector absence than diet and fitness, according to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).