Workplace managers' view of the role of co-workers in return-to-work

Title
Workplace managers' view of the role of co-workers in return-to-work
Publication Date
2016
Author(s)
Dunstan, Debra
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0298-7393
Email: ddunstan@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:ddunstan
MacEachen, Ellen
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Place of publication
United Kingdom
DOI
10.3109/09638288.2015.1129447
UNE publication id
une:20146
Abstract
Purpose: Theoretical and empirical research findings attest to the workplace being a social environment in which co-workers have a critical influence on the employment outcomes and return-to-work (RTW) success of other employees. However, co-workers do not have a formal role in RTW planning. The aim of this study was to explore how managers responsible for developing and implementing RTW procedures view the role of co-workers in this process. Method: An exploratory qualitative pilot study was conducted in Canada. Participants (1 male; 13 females; mean experience in RTW = 11.8 years) were workplace (n=8) or RTW managers (n=6) with direct oversight of RTW plans. The participants were recruited via invitation from a research institute and were drawn from three different provinces. Data were gathered via open-ended questions and were coded and subject to thematic analysis. Findings: Three key themes were identified: (1) Managers view RTW as having little relevance to co-workers but expect them to cooperate with the arrangements; (2) Formal procedures are inadequate when psychosocial barriers to work resumption are present, so managers use informal strategies to engage co-workers' emotional and social support; and (3) Managers have difficulty integrating RTW procedures with other legal obligations, such as privacy and confidentiality requirements. Conclusion: Existing arrangements for the development and implementation of RTW are sufficient most of the time, but may be inadequate when an injured worker presents with psychosocial barriers to work resumption.
Link
Citation
Disability and Rehabilitation, 38(23), p. 2324-2333
ISSN
1464-5165
0963-8288
Start page
2324
End page
2333

Files:

NameSizeformatDescriptionLink