Individuals with additional needs, such as learning disabilities, face a crisis of unemployment in the United Kingdom (UK). Many of these individuals encounter few adult services that are in place to address their support needs. Supported work internship programs are one attempt to address this crisis. One such program for young people with learning disabilities is the Project SEARCH model. Though a number of research studies have explored the efficacy of the Project SEARCH model, the reported markers of success (e.g., subsequent employment rates) have not taken into account first-hand participant experiences. The current study aimed to establish whether participant views were consistent with the previously reported, positive, quantitative measures. We explored the views of seven interns, aged 17 to 24 years, with various learning difficulties, and three job coaches who were involved in the program from September 2017 to June 2018. Semistructured interviews were conducted and analysed using thematic analysis. Participants revealed meaningful experiences for those involved, positive self-development, and renewed aspirations for the future. The value of a strong and consistent support network involving family members, job coaches, coworkers, and supervisors was highlighted. The study also found ongoing challenges associated with the scheme. These centred on concerns that interns’ abilities were being underestimated, the impact of a reduction/withdrawal of support at the conclusion of the program, and the barriers to finding subsequent competitive employment for interns. The research highlights the value of eliciting participant voice within research, and discusses how the findings can be used to further develop supported work internship programs.

Abstract Objectives:The use of evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines by psychologists working within the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) compensation schemes for treating musculoskeletal injuries has been found to vary. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore psychologists’ perceived barriers to adhering with EBP guidelines implemented by the New South Wales (NSW) SIRA.Methods:Registered psychologists (n= 20) working within the NSW SIRA compensation schemes participated in four focus groups conducted face-to-face (F2F) and online. Participants’ responses were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and entered into NVivo 11 software. Text data were analysed to identify recurrent themes within and across groups (metropolitan, regional and rural).Results:Thematic analysis revealed three key issues: (a) a lack of trust in the validity of the recommended EBP guidelines; (b) lack of knowledge of the psychologist’s role in this context and insufficient skills to fully apply the guidelines, protocols and procedures; and (c) a poor fit between EBP guidelines, client presentations and circumstances, and the SIRA compensation schemes.ConclusionThe findings showed that both individual practitioner variables and contextual barriers influenced adherence to EBP. Practical implications for future research include generating recommendations to overcome the identified barriers using a collaborative approach between policymakers, researchers and practitioners.

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions of female employees on long-term sickness absence due to common mental disorders (CMDs), in relation to what they perceive would best help them to return to work. Data were collected through a survey answered by employees at a municipality in Sweden on long-term sick leave. Results of the current study are based on a part of that material, namely from 56 women with CMDs who responded to the final open question. The analysis involves two steps. Initially, we explored themes that form the accounts in the findings. Secondly, based on the themes, collective narratives, storylines were identified. Three different storylines were found to be prominent in the findings. The storylines describe how the participants collectively expressed themselves in relation to the possibilities for return to work, and the following storylines were derived:It feels like too much, Things are moving too fast,andI have to get out of here!. The findings are related to perceived demands, control and support. From a disability management perspective, we have learned the importance of restoring the balance between demands, control and support — not only to prevent absence from work, but also to facilitate return to work after a period of long-term sickness.

Purpose: This scoping review identifies the foci of research articles that address government laws, policies and programs designed to foster labour market integration of people who, due to illness or disability, face challenges entering or staying in the workforce. Method: A systematic search of English-language peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2014 yielded 14,474 articles. Title and abstract review identified 723 included articles that addressed government-led programs, policy or legislation on work integration and/or income support after injury, illness or impairment. These were sorted by theme, work disability program or policy, disability type, jurisdiction and year published. Results: The number of articles published that address work disability laws, policies and programs increased steadily. Most articles addressed disability in general. Among articles with a specific health focus, mental health was the most common. Research gaps are identified for mixed method study designs, chronic and episodic conditions, illness and cancer, and for work disability policy studies outside of North America, Northern Europe and Australia. Conclusions: We find a growing number of published articles about work disability and policy and identify specific areas where is a need for further research.

Although the concept of healthy workplaces has historical roots in the extant literature, it remains an elusive concept to define and apply in the workplace. Nonetheless, the literature does suggest that it is a challenging and continuously improving process of supporting, protecting and promoting the health of the employee. The aim of this study was to devise a user-friendly, climate-specific assessment tool to evaluate employees’ perceptions and knowledge of the practices and procedures in the workplace that prioritise the development of a healthy, supportive workplace. After extensive literature review and early stage pilot-testing of several independent sites within an organisation, a 31-item Likert-type scale — The Workplace Scale (WPS) — was brought forward to test its psychometric properties using an independent international sample that was gathered using email distribution. These initial distribution contacts were two of the author's professional colleagues and thereafter the scale was cascaded electronically to respondents in several countries. The factor analysis conducted on the data obtained from 108 respondents yielded a solid five factor solution that was consistent with earlier test administrations and revealed interpretable and distinct factors that strongly loaded on pertinent dimensions relevant to a healthy workplace. The tangible product is a user-friendly tool to baseline the development of a healthy, supportive workplace, while providing employees with an efficient upward communication mechanism to enable management to monitor progress. Devising the WPS was undertaken as part of wider study that subsequently compared the WPS against measures of climate, leadership and culture and is reported elsewhere.

We seek to -Found an organisation which represents the interests of the disability manager and disability management (VDIMA e. V.).-Advertise campaigns to inform about the general objectives of professional disability management.-Build relationships to all the stakeholders especially to decision-makers in politics.-Offer further vocational training to the disability manager.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with disabilities has driven changed expectations on the way in which States are expected to relate to disabled people and assist in building an inclusive society.The World Report on Disabilities has provided both statistical information and examples of best practice including in the employment space.In the employment area, states are expected to provide a leadership role and provide support for private enterprise. Taking a much more partnership approach to the employment of people with disabilities has increased understanding of respective needs and helped shape different conversations. These conversations have been informed by research in to what employers perceive as barriers to employing disabled people. Providing employers with answers to their concerns has provided them with the confidence to employ and retain employees with disabilities. The mainstream approach has moved the discussion away from differences to an understanding that in many situations, this is no different to what is already provided to other employees. Confident employers are likely to provide repeat opportunities and also be good role models for other employers.The world financial crisis has sharpened enterprises understanding of the economic impact of failing to take a proactive approach to their employees. Responsibility for building knowledge is equally shared by the employee and the employer. The employee's direct line manager is has a crucial role in building connectedness for those for whom they have managerial oversight.Demedicalising the way people with disabilities are either retained or enter the workforce will be crucial in building the confidence of employers. Language and culture play an important part in building a connected and confident workplace.

Objectives: We investigate the prevalence of poverty across different workers compensation programs using large representative samples of workers’ compensation claimants who have sustained a permanent impairment from a work injury. The programs, which have existed in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia, Canada over the last 25 years, are the Permanent Disability (PD) program, the Future Economic Loss (FEL) program, the Loss of Earnings (LOE) program, and the Bifurcated Benefits (BB) program. The nature of benefit determination and the return to work supports provided by the four programs are very different. The focus of the study is on evidence of programmatic impact on the probability of poverty in the nine years post injury.Methods: The study included claimants sampled from each of the four programs who sustained a permanent impairment from a work injury. Claimants were identified in a Revenue Canada tax database know as the Longitudinal Administrative Databank (LAD), which is a longitudinal 20% simple random sample of all Canadian tax filers. Each claimant was matched with similar uninjured controls that were also in the LAD, based on sex, age, labour-market earnings amounts and trajectories in the four years prior to injury, family income, marital status, number of children, and a propensity score. Descriptive analysis was undertaken to compare near poverty, poverty and deep poverty levels of claimants relative to their match controls using data on family and individual earnings over a ten-year period post injury. Statistical modeling was used to determine the probability of poverty and near poverty for claimants versus controls. A key issue of interest was to determine was whether the probability of poverty differed between programs.Results: Based on after-tax adjusted family income, the level of poverty was quite low, less than 2% in every program over a ten-year period. The level of poverty was also lower for claimants than their matched controls, but only nominally so. The BB program had the lowest proportion of poverty followed by the PD program, the FEL program and then the LOE program. In the statistical modelling analysis male claimants did not have a higher probability of poverty compared to controls, though female claimants did. Both male and female claimants had a higher probability of near poverty.Conclusions: Poverty levels are very low for workers’ compensation claimants who sustain permanent impairments from a work injury across different programs and time periods in Ontario and British Columbia. Overall the Bifurcated Benefits program from British Columbia had the lowest proportion of claimants in poverty in absolute terms and relative to non-injured workers. Increased levels of poverty due to work injury and permanent impairment are particularly a concern for female claimants, though both female and male claimants have a higher chance of near poverty compared to non-injured workers.

Objective: The study aims to explore factors of workplace injury and chronic illnesses patients in a return to work program which are associated with return to work outcomes. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Return to Work Department, Social Security Organisation, Malaysia.Method: All participants of the Return to Work Rehabilitation Program who were absent from work due to workplace injury and chronic illnesses between January 2008 and December 2013 with no other history of injury were included. The main outcome of the study was the number in days from day one of injury prior to return of gainful employment. Hierarchical multiple regression methods were used to determine the identified factors that influence the return to work outcome.Results: An initial study with data from January 2008 and December 2011 of cases with occupational injury showed 66% (n = 1,552) of the participants had returned to work. The average number of days to return to work was 201 days. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis identified duration of referral to the Return to Work rehabilitation program, monthly salary, Whole Person Impairment ratings, DASS 21 anxiety and DASS 21 stress scale as factors that influenced return to work, explaining 32% of the variance. However an analysis of the remaining cases such as cases with chronic illnesses will be included in the final results of this study.Conclusion: Currently, a total of 66% participants had returned to employment after occupational injury. It is essential to understand the complex pathway from the point of injury and illnesses until returning to work in order to develop more effective return to work practices.

Background: Tackling the rising trend of workers suffering from disability due to injuries and diseases, the Malaysian Social Security Organization (SOCSO) introduced the Return to Work (RTW) Program in January 2007. The Return to Work Program provides systematic disability management for Insured Persons with employment injuries and illnesses using a bio psychosocial and multidisciplinary approach to enable them to return to work in a safe and fast manner. In this process, it is the ultimate goal of the Case Manager to place the Insured Person with injuries or illnesses back to the same employer within the same, similar or a different job. Nevertheless there are a large number of Insured Persons who fail to return to their same employer and would therefore require job placement assistance to be placed within the “different employer hierarchy”. Note: “Different employer hierarchy” refers to participants who failed to return to work with their previous employers requiring job placement assistance to be placed within new employers.Objective: This study explores factors predicting the likelihood of return to work among Insured Persons requiring job placement assistance. In the process of placing RTW participants among different employers, SOCSO has seen a drastic shift in the reception of employers wanting to employ persons with disabilities since the program was first implemented. While promotional measures and various interventions are carried out to increase number of participating employers, it is also essential that the readiness of the RTW participant themselves to return to work is evaluated at the beginning of the program to ensure that they will be mentally ready to return to work after being successfully rehabilitated.Methods: The logistic regression model was used to find significant variables from a sample size of 798 participants which may be used as indicators on the likelihood of RTW participants under job placement assistance in returning to work. Findings From the results, it was found that there were eight (8) significant variables which includes the clients self-perceived self-esteem, skills, health condition, pain tolerance, independence, self-confidence and career goals. It was also found that gender was a subsequent variable which could also be used as a predicting factor in predicting the likelihood of the participant returning to work.Discussion: In enhancing the quality and efficiency of providing job placement assistance for participants of SOCSO's Return to Work Program, significant indicators as found in this study can be used as a valuable tool in future where Case Managers may use this indicators to design interventions at the beginning of the programme . For instance, if the client had issues with self-esteem from the beginning of the program with low scores, this may suggest that additional counselling interventions and motivational programs may be required to improve the participant's self-esteem with the objective that he is able to return to work as soon as possible.