Act with respect: Views of supportive actions for older workers after completion of comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services

Social representations of gender and their influence in Supported Employment: employment specialists' experiences in Sweden

PURPOSE

Gender differences have been found in the outcomes of vocational rehabilitation (VR) and in Supported Employment (SE), therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore employment specialists' (ES) social representations of gender in relation to work and VR and how these social representations influence the ES's work in the VR process according to SE.

METHODS

The qualitative method of focus group discussions was employed. Ten focus groups were held with 39 ESs from four categories of SE organizations in Sweden. Topic analysis was applied to the transcribed material from the focus groups.

RESULTS

Five themes with different social representations about gender and disability in relation to VR and working life formed in the analysis: (1) differences in personal and health factors among VR-participants, (2) gender norms in society influencing VR, (3) energy-intensive environmental issues influencing VR, (4) gender-specific interactions in VR, and (5) gendered paths in the welfare system.

CONCLUSION

Social representations of higher strains on women with disabilities compared to men with disabilities both in private and working life, which reflect the lived experiences of the ESs, is a possible explanation for gender differences in VR and working life for persons with disabilities.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONGender differences in the outcomes of vocational rehabilitation (VR) interventions have been noticed worldwide. In this study, pervasive social representations about gender and disability in relation to VR were found, but also unconsciousness about gender among VR professionals. Therefore, awareness of gender is necessary in VR.Individualized and person-centered approaches to VR like Supported Employment, although considered best practice, might hide structures like gender, which could lead to reproducing discriminating processes and therefore not achieving gender equality in VR. Therefore, knowledge of discrimination is important in VR.Gender-sensitivity in vocational rehabilitation models with a person-centered and individualized approach is needed and there might also be a need to systematically tailor vocational rehabilitation models to reach gender equality in the outcomes of the interventions. Therefore, gender equality indicators are needed for VR models, to evaluate model effectiveness from a gender perspective.

Which interventions are used in the rehabilitation, return, and stay at work process of aging workers having suffered an occupational injury? A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Considering current labour shortages, the recent increase in the number of aging workers in the labour market is deemed economically beneficial. However, due to specific characteristics (e.g. biological, generational), aging workers take longer to recover and return to work after an occupational injury. Yet, few studies have examined the rehabilitation, return, and stay at work process of aging workers and current knowledge makes it difficult for stakeholders to identify which interventions to use with this specific population.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe which interventions are used in the rehabilitation, return, and stay at work process of aging workers having suffered an occupational injury.

METHODS

We conducted a five-step scoping review. Five databases were used for the literature search. A qualitative analysis of the retained manuscripts was conducted.

RESULTS

Our analysis led to the extraction of information from seven manuscripts that concern the rehabilitation, return, and stay at work process of aging workers who suffered an occupational injury exclusively. We identified 19 interventions (e.g. work capacity development, work task modifications, permanent part-time work, and alternative roles) and were described according to the different phases of the Cycle of Work Disability Prevention (CWDP).

CONCLUSIONS

This study offers informative, non-prescriptive, and operational interventions useful for stakeholders who support aging workers. Furthermore, it is a knowledge base to develop future projects that promote the rehabilitation, return, and stay at work process of aging workers.

The Process of Rehabilitation, Return and Stay at Work of Aging Workers Who Suffered an Occupational Injury: A Portrait Based on the Experience of Canadian Stakeholders

PURPOSE

This study aims to paint a picture of the factors that influence the process of rehabilitation, return, and stay at work, for aging workers who have suffered an occupational injury.

METHODS

Based on a descriptive interpretative research design, the authors conducted interviews with 23 participants (i.e., aging workers, workers' representatives, employers, insurers, and rehabilitation professionals) to gather their perspectives. Qualitative data was analyzed through thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Fifteen factors related to the worker, health system, workplace, or compensation system were identified. These factors prevail during rehabilitation, return to work, stay at work, or the entire process.

CONCLUSIONS

This study contributes to the advancement of knowledge regarding three main ideas: (1) the importance of not placing the responsibility on the worker in this complex process, (2) the key role of the compensation system, and (3) the necessity of transforming work to reduce ageism.

Risk Factors Related to Perceived Hot Conditions on Outdoor Farms Among Thai Elderly Farmers With Chronic Diseases

Working on outdoor farms affects elderly farmers' health, especially those who have chronic diseases. This study aims to identify the risk factors related to perceived hot conditions on outdoor farms among elderly Thai farmers aged 60 years and older with chronic diseases. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 352 elderly farmers in nine sub-districts of Nong Suea District, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand via convenience sampling. Questionnaires were used as instruments to gather data about demographic and working factors. The risk factors associated with elderly Thai farmers' perceptions of hot conditions on outdoor farms were identified by using binary logistic regression. The most common chronic illnesses were hypertension (35.8%), heart disease (34.4%), and diabetes mellitus (24.5%). More than 60.5% of the participants perceived their hot conditions to be high. The results of binary logistic regression show that low income and work duration ≤8.0 hours per day were risk factors related to perceived hot conditions on outdoor farms (P value < 0.05). These findings may be used by relevant authorities to support elderly farmers by emphasizing the importance of individual and work-related factors. Relevant government agencies should consider formulating working standards in hot conditions specifically for elderly farm workers.