A systematic review of work accommodations for people with mental disorders

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Work accommodations are adjustments made in the work place or to policies surrounding employment to accommodate an individual with a mental disorder to be successful in completing work related tasks. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this systematic review is to identify work accommodations that are available and that are provided to individuals with mental disorders. In addition, associated cost-effectiveness and cost-benefits of these accommodations are examined. METHODS: Studies published between 1990-2016 from four databases were reviewed. From these databases, studies that specified accommodations that were available/provided and/or addressed cost-effectiveness or cost-benefit analysis of work accommodations were included. RESULTS: Of the 1362 eligible studies, only 15 were included. Work accommodations that were provided to individuals assisted in mitigating limitations in the work place and improved length of job tenure, as well as reduced the severity of certain mental disorders. The costs associated with these accommodations were found to be minimal and had positive economic benefits for employers. CONCLUSION: Work accommodations help individuals with mental disorders meet employment expectations with minimal cost.

Towards a better understanding of work participation among employees with common mental health problems: a systematic realist review

“…On the side of healthcare and the psychological treatment of individuals with CMHP, we recommend (mental) healthcare professionals to address work-related problems in the consultation and to transfer lessons learned, such as active coping, to the work context. Likewise, we urge employers to facilitate work and a work environment where lessons learned can be practiced by employees, by enhancing autonomy or facilitating temporary job modifications (97). This may have the twofold effect of increasing employee's capabilities and employee engagement as well as contributing to mentally healthy workplaces (95).…”

Nutzungsformen psychosomatischer Rehabilitation

“…Die Entscheidung für die bisherige "sichere" Stelle erfolgt, weil noch fast die Hälfte der Interviewten nach der psychosomatischen Reha weiterhin stark durch die aktuelle Erkrankung im Alltag und, so lässt sich vermuten, auch im Beruf beeinträchtigt ist. Daher kommen einem (therapeutisch und pädagogisch unterstützten) Arrangement mit der bedingten Gesundheit und betrieblichen Anpassungsmaßnahmen [19] bei einer Verbesserung des person-environment-fit eine große Bedeutung zu.…”

Relationship between support for workers with illness and work functioning impairment in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…Work accommodations include providing workers with flexible working hours so that those with poor health can work while receiving medical treatment; and employment accommodations such as job adjustments, workplace support, and physical changes in the work environment to improve their ability to work. Around the world, this concept is known as "work accommodations," "reasonable accommodations," or "fit note" [16][17][18][19][20] . In Japan, it is called "Ryoritsu Shien," which means accommodating workers who desire to continue working despite being in poor health, with the Japanese government promoting ''Ryoritsu Shien'' to create a society where people with poor health can also work.…”

“…Further, some medical institutions have established new departments to promote the accommodation of working people with poor health [21][22][23][24] . Accommodating the employment of workers with poor health has a number of benefits, including reducing loss of work productivity 25 , sickness absence 26 , the risk of job termination 16,17,27 and job stress 16 .…”