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Van Eerd D, Le Pouésard M, Yanar B, Irvin E, Gignac MAM, Jetha A, Morose T, Tompa E. Return-to-Work Experiences in Ontario Policing: Injured But Not Broken. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2024; 34:265-277. [PMID: 37735312 PMCID: PMC10899295 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-023-10135-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Police officers and others working in police services are exposed to challenging and traumatic situations that can result in physical and/or psychological injuries requiring time off work. Safely returning to work post-injury is critical, yet little is known about current return-to-work (RTW) practices in police services. This study examines RTW practices and experiences in police services from the perspective of RTW personnel and workers with physical and/or psychological health conditions. METHODS We used a purposive sampling approach to recruit sworn and civilian members from several police services in Ontario, Canada. The recruited members had experienced RTW either as a person in a RTW support role or as a worker with a work-related injury/illness. We conducted and transcribed interviews for analysis and used qualitative research methods to identify themes in the data. RESULTS Five overarching themes emerged. Two pointed to the context and culture of police services and included matters related to RTW processes, injury/illness complexity, the hierarchical nature of police organizations, and a culture of stoicism and stigma. The remaining three themes pointed to the RTW processes of accommodation, communication and trust-building. They included issues related to recovery from injury/illness, meaningful accommodation, timely and clear communication, malingering and trust. CONCLUSIONS Our findings point to potential areas for improving RTW practices in police services: greater flexibility, more clarity, stricter confidentiality and reduced stigma. More research is needed on RTW practices for managing psychological injuries to help inform policy and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Van Eerd
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 1S9, Canada.
| | - M Le Pouésard
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 1S9, Canada
| | - B Yanar
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 1S9, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - E Irvin
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 1S9, Canada
| | - M A M Gignac
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 1S9, Canada
- Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada
| | - A Jetha
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 1S9, Canada
| | - T Morose
- Public Services Health and Safety Association, 4950 Yonge St, North York, ON, M2N 6K1, Canada
| | - E Tompa
- Institute for Work & Health, 400 University Ave, Toronto, ON, M5S 1S9, Canada
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Corbière M, Mazaniello-Chézol M, Bastien MF, Wathieu E, Bouchard R, Panaccio A, Guay S, Lecomte T. Stakeholders' Role and Actions in the Return-to-Work Process of Workers on Sick-Leave Due to Common Mental Disorders: A Scoping Review. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2020; 30:381-419. [PMID: 31673934 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-019-09861-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The lack of knowledge regarding the roles and actions of return to work (RTW) stakeholders create confusion and uncertainty about how and when to RTW after experiencing a common mental disorder (CMD). Purpose The purpose of this scoping review is to disentangle the various stakeholders' role and actions in the RTW process of workers on sick-leave due to CMDs. The research question is: What is documented in the existing literature regarding the roles and actions of the identified stakeholders involved in the RTW process of workers on sick-leave due to CMDs? Methods In conducting this scoping review, we followed Arksey and O'Malley's (Int J Soc Res Methodol 8:19-32, 2005) methodology, consisting of different stages (e.g., charting the data by categorizing key results). Results 3709 articles were screened for inclusion, 243 of which were included for qualitative synthesis. Several RTW stakeholders (n=11) were identified (e.g., workers on sick leave due to CMDs, managers, union representatives, rehabilitation professionals, insurers, return to work coordinators). RTW stakeholders' roles and actions inter- and intra-system were recommended, either general (e.g., know and understand the perspectives of all RTW stakeholders) or specific to an actor (e.g., the return to work coordinator needs to create and maintain a working alliance between all RTW stakeholders). Furthermore, close to 200 stakeholders' actions, spread out on different RTW phases, were recommended for facilitating the RTW process. Conclusions Eleven RTW stakeholders from the work, heath and insurance systems have been identified, as well as their respective roles and actions. Thanks to these results, RTW stakeholders and policy makers will be able to build practical relationships and collaboration regarding the RTW of workers on sick leave due to CMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Corbière
- Department of Education, Career counselling, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888 succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal (CR-IUSMM), Montreal, QC, Canada.
| | - Maud Mazaniello-Chézol
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal (CR-IUSMM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-France Bastien
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal (CR-IUSMM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Estelle Wathieu
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal (CR-IUSMM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Art History, Concordia University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Alexandra Panaccio
- John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphane Guay
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal (CR-IUSMM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université de Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Tania Lecomte
- Centre de recherche de l'Institut Universitaire en Santé Mentale de Montréal (CR-IUSMM), Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Petersen KS, Labriola M, Nielsen CV, Ladekjaer Larsen E. Returning and staying connected to work after long-term sickness absence. Occup Med (Lond) 2016; 66:725-730. [PMID: 27834228 DOI: 10.1093/occmed/kqw159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Returning to work (RTW) after long-term sickness absence is a challenge for convalescent workers, co-workers, managers and organizations. Few studies have investigated the post-return phase after long-term sickness absence. AIMS To investigate the RTW process as experienced by returning workers, co-workers and managers at an emergency care service and a waste disposal company, exploring various perspectives related to early RTW before full recovery and changes in the returning workers' work positions. METHODS An ethnographic field work design was employed. Returning workers with musculoskeletal disorders, co-workers and managers at two different workplaces participated in individual and group interviews and underwent participant observation over 5 months. These were repeated in a 2-week period after a 4-month interval. Grounded theory analysis was used to identify themes of importance. RESULTS Four main themes were identified: (1) return before full recovery, (2) changes in work tasks, (3) changes in work position and (4) individual responsibility. CONCLUSIONS Our results illustrate how returning workers, co-workers and managers at two workplaces experienced the RTW process. The results highlight some of the challenges that occur when returning at an early stage before full recovery is obtained leading to changes in the returning worker's work position.
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Affiliation(s)
- K S Petersen
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Nils Jernes Vej 12, 9220 Aalborg East, Denmark,
| | - M Labriola
- Department of Public Health, Section of Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aarhus University and DEFACTUM, Central Region Denmark, P.P. Oerums Gade 9-11, Building 1B, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - C V Nielsen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aarhus University and DEFACTUM, Central Region Denmark, P.P. Oerums Gade 9-11, Building 1B, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - E Ladekjaer Larsen
- Unit for Health Promotion Research, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark Esbjerg, Niels Bohrs Vej 9, 6700 Esbjerg, Denmark
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Grataloup M, Massardier-Pilonchéry A, Bergeret A, Fassier JB. Job Restrictions for Healthcare Workers with Musculoskeletal Disorders: Consequences from the Superior's Viewpoint. JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL REHABILITATION 2016; 26:245-252. [PMID: 26408192 DOI: 10.1007/s10926-015-9609-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Objective Many workers suffer from musculoskeletal disorders. In France, occupational physicians are able to set job aptitude restrictions obliging employers to adapt the worker's job. The present study explored the impact of job restriction from the point of view of the employees' supervisors. Methods A qualitative study was conducted in 3 public hospitals. 12 focus groups were organized, involving 61 charge nurses and head nurses supervising 1 or more workers restricted for heavy lifting or repetitive movements. Discussions were recorded for qualitative thematic analysis. Results Charge and head nurses complained that aptitude restrictions were insufficiently precise, could not be respected and failed to mention residual capability. A context of personnel cuts, absenteeism and productivity demands entailed a need for polyvalence and reorganization threatening the permanence of adapted jobs. Job restrictions had several negative consequences for the charge and head nurses, including overwork, increased conflict, and feelings of isolation and organizational injustice. Conclusion Protecting the individual interests of workers with health issues may infringe on the interests of their supervisors and colleagues, whose perception of organizational justice may go some way to explaining the support or rejection they show toward restricted workers. This paradox should be explicitly explored and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Grataloup
- UMRESTTE (UMR T 9405), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373, Lyon Cedex 08, France
| | - A Massardier-Pilonchéry
- UMRESTTE (UMR T 9405), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373, Lyon Cedex 08, France
- Occupational Heath and Medicine Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - A Bergeret
- UMRESTTE (UMR T 9405), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373, Lyon Cedex 08, France
- Occupational Heath and Medicine Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - Jean-Baptiste Fassier
- UMRESTTE (UMR T 9405), Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, 8 Avenue Rockefeller, 69373, Lyon Cedex 08, France.
- Occupational Heath and Medicine Department, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.
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Vossen E, Van Gestel N, Van der Heijden BIJM, Rouwette EAJA. "Dis-able bodied" or "dis-able minded": stakeholders' return-to-work experiences compared between physical and mental health conditions. Disabil Rehabil 2016; 39:969-977. [PMID: 27211573 DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2016.1172675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to explore if and why the return-to-work (RTW) experiences of various workplace stakeholders in the Netherlands and Denmark differ between physical and mental health conditions, and to understand the consequences of potentially different experiences for the RTW process in both health conditions. METHODS We studied 21 cases of long-term sickness absence, and held a total of 61 semi-structured interviews with the various actors involved in these cases. RESULTS Physical cases were seen as "easy" and mental cases as "difficult" to manage, based on the visibility and predictability of health complaints. On this ground, assessing work ability and following required RTW actions were perceived as more urgent in mental than in physical cases. Despite these perceptions, in practice, the assessment of work ability seemed to impair the RTW process in mental cases (but not in physical ones), and the (non-)uptake of RTW actions appeared to have similar results in both mental and physical cases. CONCLUSIONS With these outcomes, the effectiveness of a differential approach is questioned, and the relevance of a bidirectional dialog on work ability and a phased RTW plan is highlighted, regardless of the absence cause. Our study also demonstrates how policymakers need to strike a balance between obligatory and permissive legislation to better involve workplaces in RTW issues. Implications for rehabilitation Both physically and mentally sick-listed employees could benefit from a bidirectional dialog on work ability as well as from a phased RTW plan. A greater role for employers in the RTW process should be accompanied with a support for sick-listed employees, in both physical and mental sickness absence cases. Dutch and Danish RTW legislation could be improved by carefully balancing obligatory and permissive rules and regulations to involve workplaces in RTW matters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmie Vossen
- a Institute for Management Research , Radboud University , Nijmegen , The Netherlands
| | - Nicolette Van Gestel
- b TIAS School for Business & Society , Tilburg University , Tilburg , The Netherlands
| | - Beatrice I J M Van der Heijden
- a Institute for Management Research , Radboud University , Nijmegen , The Netherlands.,c Open University of The Netherlands , School of Management , Heerlen , The Netherlands
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Petersen KS, Labriola M, Nielsen CV, Larsen EL. Work reintegration after long-term sick leave: domains of influence on co-workers' ability to be supportive. Disabil Rehabil 2016; 38:1872-83. [PMID: 26728089 DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2015.1107772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the study is to identify domains of influence on co-workers' ability to be supportive of returning worker during the work reintegration (WR) process. METHODS An ethnographic study design was chosen involving fieldwork at four different workplaces, at an emergency care service, a waste disposal company and at two nursing homes. Qualitative methods for inquiry were used including participant observation, individual- and group interviews of 30 participants. Data were coded and analysed according to a grounded theory approach. RESULTS Four themes were identified related to domains of influence on co-workers' ability to be supportive of returning worker during the WR process: (1) organisation of work and level of interaction; (2) disruption of work routines, (3) relationship with returning worker and (4) attitudes towards sick leave. CONCLUSION The WR process after long-term sick leave is not only influenced by the WR's arrangements made, but also by the co-workers' responses to the process. Work arrangements not only affect the returning worker's ability to return-to-work (RTW) successfully, but also the co-workers' ability to be supportive and their ability to take active part in the process. Implications for Rehabilitation The process of WR after long-term sick leave involves interaction with co-workers. Domains of influence is in the co-workers' perspective influencing their ability to be supportive during reintegration of a returning worker. Future WR management could benefit from integrating the conditions for co-worker support. We encourage co-workers to be involved in the RTW planning, monitoring and evaluation with particular focus on how the WR arrangements are influencing their work and their ability to be supportive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsten Schultz Petersen
- a Public Health and Quality Improvement, Central Denmark Region, Rehabilitation Center Marselisborg , Aarhus C , Denmark ;,b Department of Public Health , Section of Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - Merete Labriola
- a Public Health and Quality Improvement, Central Denmark Region, Rehabilitation Center Marselisborg , Aarhus C , Denmark ;,b Department of Public Health , Section of Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - Claus Vinther Nielsen
- a Public Health and Quality Improvement, Central Denmark Region, Rehabilitation Center Marselisborg , Aarhus C , Denmark ;,b Department of Public Health , Section of Social Medicine and Rehabilitation, Aarhus University , Aarhus , Denmark
| | - Eva Ladekjær Larsen
- a Public Health and Quality Improvement, Central Denmark Region, Rehabilitation Center Marselisborg , Aarhus C , Denmark ;,c Unit for Health Promotion Research, Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark , Esbjerg , Denmark
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