Return to Work
Original Editor - User Name
Top Contributors - Vidya Acharya
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Chronic health conditions that affect working-age people can have a significant impact on their ability to maintain or find employment, which could put the families' financial security at risk.[1]
The shortage of skilled workers and the pressure on pensions are causing concerns about the future of the labor market. It is now necessary to invest in healthcare and welfare policies to ensure the long-term viability of social security systems for the working age population.[2]
Many countries have a "quota system" that allocates a percentage of jobs to people with chronic diseases to help employees retain their jobs if they develop an illness while employed.[2]
Risk Factors for Delayed RTW[edit | edit source]
Intervention Strategies[edit | edit source]
Important components of RTW interventions are RTW coordination, occupational training or conditioning, workplace-based interventions, work accommodations, and contact between the various stakeholders[3]
Common principles for successful return to work[3]:
1. The workplace has a strong commitment to health and safety, which is demonstrated by the behaviours of the workplace parties.
2. The employer makes an offer of modified work (also known as work accommodation) to injured/ill workers so they can return early and safely to work activities suitable to their abilities.
3. RTW planners ensure that the plan supports the returning worker without disadvantaging co-workers and supervisors.a
4. Supervisors are trained in work disability prevention and included in RTW planning.
5. The employer makes early and considerate contact with injured/ill workers.
6. Someone has the responsibility to coordinate RTW.
7. Employers and health-care providers communicate with each other about the workplace demands as needed, and with the worker’s consent.
8. The worker has access to multidisciplinary resources (including clinical interventions for the management of pain, disability, depression and poor expectations for recovery), where necessary, working in combination with the other stakeholders.
Resources[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Foitzek N, Ávila CC, Ivandic I, Bitenc Č, Cabello M, Gruber S, Leonardi M, Muñoz-Murillo A, Scaratti C, Tobiasz-Adamczyk B, Vlachou A. What persons with chronic health conditions need to maintain or return to work—Results of an online-survey in seven European countries. International journal of environmental research and public health. 2018 Apr;15(4):595
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Silvaggi F, Eigenmann M, Scaratti C, Guastafierro E, Toppo C, Lindstrom J, Rantala E, Imaz-Iglesia I, Barnfield A, Maassen A, Leonardi M. Employment and chronic diseases: Suggested actions for the implementation of inclusive policies for the participation of people with chronic diseases in the labour market. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020 Feb;17(3):820.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Cancelliere C, Donovan J, Stochkendahl MJ, Biscardi M, Ammendolia C, Myburgh C, Cassidy JD. Factors affecting return to work after injury or illness: best evidence synthesis of systematic reviews. Chiropractic & manual therapies. 2016 Dec;24(1):1-23.
