Toward a Climate for Work Resumption: The Nonmedical Determinants of Return to Work

Objective: People who have been on long-term absence from work because of ill health usually have reduced chances to resume work again. Nevertheless, little is known about its causal factors. The aim of this study is to present and test an empirical model to predict return to work of employees who a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of occupational and environmental medicine 2010-01, Vol.52 (1), p.67-80
Main Authors: D'Amato, Alessia, Zijlstra, Fred
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absenteeism
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
Causality
Depression - complications
Disability Evaluation
Effects
Europe
Female
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Mental disorders
Middle Aged
Miscellaneous
Occupational health
Occupational medicine
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Personnel Management
Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine
Self Efficacy
Sick Leave
Stress, Psychological
Studies
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Summary:Objective: People who have been on long-term absence from work because of ill health usually have reduced chances to resume work again. Nevertheless, little is known about its causal factors. The aim of this study is to present and test an empirical model to predict return to work of employees who are long-term absent for physical- or mental ill health reasons. Method: A longitudinal study has been performed with a sample of long-term absents in five European countries (N = 1460). Results: Health improvement is necessary but it alone not sufficient as precondition for return to work. Psychological factors (ie, self-efficacy, depression) and organizational factors have the highest impact. Conclusions: A climate for work resumption and its implications for personnel management practices to reduce/prevent workers to remain in absence leave when the medical symptoms have disappeared are discussed.
ISSN:1076-2752
1536-5948
DOI:10.1097/JOM.0b013e3181c75291