An exploration of social support as a factor in the return-to-work process.
Despite evidence that inter-personal relationships are important in human resource management, little is understood about the nature of workplace social support in a disability context, or what features of support are important to the success of return-to-work programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore workplace disability support from worker and supervisory perspectives and to identify salient features for work re-entry. A total of 8 supervisors and 18 previously injured workers from a range of work units in a Canadian municipality were interviewed, and their views concerning supportive and unsupportive behaviours in work-re-entry situations were recorded and analyzed. A full range of social support dimensions were reported to be relevant, and were seen as arising from a variety of sources (e.g. supervisor, co-workers, disability manager, work unit, and outside of work). Respondents identified trust, communication and knowledge of disability as key precursors to a successful return-to-work process. Future research should explore the specific contributions of support to work rehabilitation outcomes as well as interventions to enhance available supports.
Queen's University, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. lysaght@post.queensu.ca
Rosemary M
RM
Lysaght
Sherrey
S
Larmour-Trode
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009864:Ontario; D015279:Organizational Culture; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D017132:Workplace / Q000523:psychology*