Job demands and decision control predicted return to work: the rapid-RTW cohort study

Abstract

BackgroundIn order to help workers with long-term sickness absence return to work (RTW), it is important to understand factors that either impede or facilitate employee’s reintegration into the labour force. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the impact of psychological work characteristics on time-to first RTW in sick listed employees in Norway.MethodsThe study was designed as a cohort study of 543 employees participating in 50 different RTW programmes. The Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) was used to gather information on the psychological work conditions. The participants were followed for up to 18 months after they started treatment in the RTW programme. Survival analyses were used to investigate the association between psychological work conditions and time-to first RTW.ResultsHaving high psychological job demands (HR = .654; 95% CI: .513–.832) and low decision control (HR = 1.297; 95% CI: 1.010–1.666) were both independent predictors of delayed RTW. Employees in low-strain jobs (low demands/high control) (HR = 1.811; 95% CI: 1.287–2.549) and passive jobs (low demands/low control) (HR = 1.599; 95% CI: 1.107–2.309), returned to work earlier compared to employees in high-strain jobs (high demands/low control). No difference was found for active jobs (high demands/high control).ConclusionThis study revealed that high psychological demands, low control, and being in a high strain job reduced the probability of early RTW in sick listed employees. RTW programmes should therefore increase the focus on these issues.

Patterns and Predictors of Return to Work After Major Trauma

“…Those employed in a professional occupation (e.g., scientists, engineers, health professionals, educators, information technology professionals) returned to work earlier than those employed in manual occupations such as labourers and transport workers, who were also at increased risk of not returning to work. Consistent with prior studies, these findings suggest that reductions in physical capacity following severe injury has a larger impact in those whose occupation is physically demanding [34], or with lower job control [35]. In contrast those working in occupations with relatively high levels of job control and lower physical capacity requirements, may have an advantage in their ability to RTW [35].…”

“…Consistent with prior studies, these findings suggest that reductions in physical capacity following severe injury has a larger impact in those whose occupation is physically demanding [34], or with lower job control [35]. In contrast those working in occupations with relatively high levels of job control and lower physical capacity requirements, may have an advantage in their ability to RTW [35].…”

Health-related quality of life and associated factors in patients with myocardial infarction after returning to work: a cross-sectional study

“…angina), resulting in limited physical activity [18]. On the other hand, people returning to work after MI are more likely to be affected by mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and experience ongoing stress, loneliness and inferiority [19,20]. In fact, only a few people returning to work after MI could continue their work normally.…”

Time to return to work following workplace violence among direct healthcare and social workers

“…It may also affect an individual’s capacity to RTW within the same workplace. Healthcare workplaces are known to be psychologically demanding environments, and the effects of violence might be exacerbated in these workplaces as a result 14–18. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to examine the difference in time to RTW with violence-related incidents compared with similar non-violence-related incidents among direct care health and social workers in BC.…”