Top

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2011

Influence of Efforts of Employer and Employee on Return-to-Work Process and Outcomes

Authors: A. Muijzer, J. W. Groothoff, J. H. B. Geertzen, S. Brouwer

Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation | Issue 4/2011

Abstract

Background Research on disability and RTW outcome has led to significant advances in understanding these outcomes, however, limited studies focus on measuring the RTW process. After a prolonged period of sickness absence, the assessment of the RTW process by investigating RTW Effort Sufficiency (RTW-ES) is essential. However, little is known about factors influencing RTW-ES. Also, the correspondence in factors determining RTW-ES and RTW is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate 1) the strength and relevance of factors related to RTW-ES and RTW (no/partial RTW), and 2) the comparability of factors associated with RTW-ES and with RTW. Methods During 4 months, all assessments of RTW-ES and RTW (no/partial RTW) among employees applying for disability benefits after 2 years of sickness absence, performed by labor experts at 3 Dutch Social Insurance Institute locations, were investigated by means of a questionnaire. Results Questionnaires concerning 415 cases were available. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, the only factor related to RTW-ES is a good employer-employee relationship. Factors related to RTW (no/partial RTW) were found to be high education, no previous periods of complete disability and a good employer-employee relationship. Conclusions Different factors are relevant to RTW-ES and RTW, but the employer-employee relationship is relevant for both. Considering the importance of the assessment of RTW-ES after a prolonged period of sickness absence among employees who are not fully disabled, this knowledge is essential for the assessment of RTW-ES and the RTW process itself.

OECD. Transforming disability into ability: policies to promote work and income security for disabled people. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; 2003.

Henderson M, Glozier N, Holland Elliott K. Long term sickness absence. BMJ. 2005;330(7495):802–3.PubMedCrossRef

Young AE, Roessler RT, Wasiak R, McPherson KM, van Poppel MN, Anema JR. A developmental conceptualization of return to work. J Occup Rehabil. 2005;15(4):557–68.PubMedCrossRef

Wasiak R, Young AE, Roessler RT, McPherson KM, van Poppel MN, Anema JR. Measuring return to work. J Occup Rehabil. 2007;17(4):766–81.PubMedCrossRef

Muijzer A, Groothoff JW, de Boer WE, Geertzen JH, Brouwer S. The assessment of efforts to return to work in the European Union. Eur J Public Health. 2010;20(6):689–94.PubMedCrossRef

Post M, Krol B, Groothoff JW. Work-related determinants of return to work of employees on long-term sickness absence. Disabil Rehabil. 2005;27(9):481–8.PubMedCrossRef

Gardner BT, Pransky G, Shaw WS, Nha Hong Q, Loisel P. Researcher perspectives on competencies of return-to-work coordinators. Disabil Rehabil. 2010;32(1):72–8.PubMedCrossRef

Brouwers EP, Terluin B, Tiemens BG, Verhaak PF. Predicting return to work in employees sick-listed due to minor mental disorders. J Occup Rehabil. 2009;19(4):323–32.PubMedCrossRef

Brouwer S, Krol B, Reneman MF, Bultmann U, Franche RL, van der Klink JJ, et al. Behavioral determinants as predictors of return to work after long-term sickness absence: an application of the theory of planned behavior. J Occup Rehabil. 2009;19(2):166–74.PubMedCrossRef

10.

Krause N, Frank JW, Dasinger LK, Sullivan TJ, Sinclair SJ. Determinants of duration of disability and return-to-work after work-related injury and illness: challenges for future research. Am J Ind Med. 2001;40(4):464–84.PubMedCrossRef

11.

Franche RL, Krause N. Readiness for return to work following injury or illness: conceptualizing the interpersonal impact of health care, workplace, and insurance factors. J Occup Rehabil. 2002;12(4):233–56.PubMedCrossRef

12.

MacKenzie EJ, Morris JA Jr, Jurkovich GJ, Yasui Y, Cushing BM, Burgess AR, et al. Return to work following injury: the role of economic, social, and job-related factors. Am J Public Health. 1998;88(11):1630–7.PubMedCrossRef

13.

Schultz IZ, Crook JM, Berkowitz J, Meloche GR, Milner R, Zuberbier OA, et al. Biopsychosocial multivariate predictive model of occupational low back disability. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2002;27(23):2720–5.CrossRef

14.

Krause N, Dasinger LK, Deegan LJ, Rudolph L, Brand RJ. Psychosocial job factors and return-to-work after compensated low back injury: a disability phase-specific analysis. Am J Ind Med. 2001;40(4):374–92.PubMedCrossRef

15.

Janssen N, van den Heuvel WP, Beurskens AJ, Nijhuis FJ, Schroer CA, van Eijk JT. The Demand-Control-support model as a predictor of return to work. Int J Rehabil Res. 2003;26(1):1–9.PubMedCrossRef

16.

Nieuwenhuijsen K, Verbeek JH, de Boer AG, Blonk RW, van Dijk FJ. Supervisory behaviour as a predictor of return to work in employees absent from work due to mental health problems. Occup Environ Med. 2004;61(10):817–23.PubMedCrossRef

17.

Durand MJ, Loisel P. Therapeutic Return to Work: Rehabilitation in the workplace. Work. 2001;17(1):57–63.PubMed

18.

Infante-Rivard C, Lortie M. Prognostic factors for return to work after a first compensated episode of back pain. Occup Environ Med. 1996;53(7):488–94.PubMedCrossRef

19.

Dasinger LK, Krause N, Deegan LJ, Brand RJ, Rudolph L. Physical workplace factors and return to work after compensated low back injury: a disability phase-specific analysis. J Occup Environ Med. 2000;42(3):323–33.PubMedCrossRef

20.

Gjesdal S, Ringdal PR, Haug K, Maeland JG. Long-term sickness absence and disability pension with psychiatric diagnoses: a population-based cohort study. Nord J Psychiatry. 2008;62(4):294–301.PubMedCrossRef

21.

Karlsson NE, Carstensen JM, Gjesdal S, Alexanderson KA. Mortality in relation to disability pension: findings from a 12-year prospective population-based cohort study in Sweden. Scand J Public Health. 2007;35(4):341–7.PubMedCrossRef

22.

Opsteegh L, Reinders-Messelink HA, Schollier D, Groothoff JW, Postema K, Dijkstra PU, et al. Determinants of return to work in patients with hand disorders and hand injuries. J Occup Rehabil. 2009;19(3):245–55.PubMedCrossRef

23.

Gates LB, Akabas SH. Inclusion of People with Mental Health Disabilities into the Workplace: Accommodation as a Social Process. In: Schultz IZ, Rogers ES, editors. Work Accommodation and Retention in Mental Health New York: Springer; 2010. p. 375–392.

Title: Influence of Efforts of Employer and Employee on Return-to-Work Process and Outcomes
Authors: A. Muijzer
J. W. Groothoff
J. H. B. Geertzen
S. Brouwer
Publication date: 01-12-2011
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation / Issue 4/2011
Print ISSN: 1053-0487
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3688
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9293-5

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Influence of Efforts of Employer and Employee on Return-to-Work Process and Outcomes

Abstract

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 4/2011

Twenty Years of Multidisciplinary Research and Practice: The Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Then and Now

Why Don’t Employers Hire and Retain Workers with Disabilities?

Factors Associated with Functional Capacity Test Results in Patients With Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review

Workstyle Risk Factors for Work Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms Among Computer Professionals in India

Surgical Techniques and Return to Work Following Carpal Tunnel Release: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Occupational Pressure–Targeting Organisational Factors to Ameliorate Occupational Dysfunction