The Working Wounded

Abstract

Stigma contributes to a number of negative consequences for members of devalued groups. Injured employees report being labeled as malingerers or abusers of the health‐care, compensation, and legal systems and experience discrimination and isolation at work. Drawing from research in multiple disciplines on return to work and stigma, we discuss why workers returning to work following physical injuries may be stigmatized in this fashion and outline the significant costs associated with such stigmatization. Considering societal, organizational, situational, and individual influences, we address factors that we believe differentiate injured workers, their injuries, and their workplaces and suggest ways that these factors, alone and together, affect injured workers' vulnerability to stigma. From there, we consider how the stress‐provoking and painful process of stigmatization of those returning to work following an injury can be alleviated by appropriate organizational intervention.

Mental health in the workplace: Towards evidence-based practice.

“…As with other “invisible” injuries, concerns about stigmatization may result in workers not asking for, or taking advantage of, these arrangements. Francis et al (2014) suggested that the stigma experienced by injured workers experience may be “anti-therapeutic” (Lippel, 1999) and contribute to both failed return to work and chronic disability (Eakin, 2005; Tarasuk & Eakin, 1995). Research in this area suggests that education programs can improve people’s attributions about and attitudes toward people with psychiatric conditions (Pinfold et al, 2003).…”