Experiences of workers with long-term disabilities on employer support throughout the RTW process in The Netherlands:a qualitative study

Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore ways that employer support influenced successful return to work (RTW) in workers with disabilities. Methods: We conducted a semi-structured interview study among 27 workers with disabilities in the Netherlands who received a partial disability benefit two years after sick leave and who continued working in paid (part-time) employment after a period of long-term sickness absence (> 2 years). We analyzed data by means of thematic analysis. Results: We identified four types of employer support that were experienced as factors of success... Mehr ...

Verfasser: Jansen, Joke
Brouwer, Sandra
Alma, Manna A.
Boot, Cecile R. L.
Dokumenttyp: Artikel
Erscheinungsdatum: 2024
Reihe/Periodikum: Jansen , J , Brouwer , S , Alma , M A & Boot , C R L 2024 , ' Experiences of workers with long-term disabilities on employer support throughout the RTW process in The Netherlands : a qualitative study ' , Disability and Rehabilitation . https://doi.org/10.1080/09638288.2024.2343823
Sprache: Englisch
Permalink: https://search.fid-benelux.de/Record/base-29215925
Datenquelle: BASE; Originalkatalog
Powered By: BASE
Link(s) : https://research.vumc.nl/en/publications/16434711-539e-43ea-9090-ed417add6eee

Purpose: The aim of this qualitative study was to explore ways that employer support influenced successful return to work (RTW) in workers with disabilities. Methods: We conducted a semi-structured interview study among 27 workers with disabilities in the Netherlands who received a partial disability benefit two years after sick leave and who continued working in paid (part-time) employment after a period of long-term sickness absence (> 2 years). We analyzed data by means of thematic analysis. Results: We identified four types of employer support that were experienced as factors of successful RTW: 1. Supervisor accessibility; 2. Supervisor engagement; 3. Supervisor strategies; and 4. Supervisor-initiated work accommodations. More specifically, during the preparations for RTW phase, the supervisor’s active role involved having a positive and open attitude toward facilitating RTW; during the initial RTW phase, the supervisor’s role involved being creative in finding solutions for work accommodations; and during the sustained RTW phase, the supervisor’s role included helping workers who still needed changes in their work situations. Conclusion: The elements of successful employer support reveals that the pressure on the shoulders of the supervisor is high. Future research should further investigate whether supervisors need more phase-specific training from their organization.