Factors relating to working status, i.e. whether the subject is still at work or on workmen's compensation, have been studied in chronic pain patients. Sociodemographic and pain variables were not correlated with absence from work, nor was diagnosis. However, beliefs and attitudes concerning pain differed between patients still working and those on workmen's compensation. In chronic pain patients medical attention should focus not only on description of symptoms but also on the "illness behaviour" dimension.