The double whammy of a work handicap (differential) effects of health on working conditions and outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of health on working conditions and outcomes.


METHODS
Data were collected in the longitudinal Study on Health at Work (n = 1597 employees), using multiple regression analyses and focusing on three groups of employees: 1) healthy, 2) chronic health complaints without a work handicap, and 3) chronic health complaints with a work handicap.


RESULTS
1) Employees with a work handicap experienced less favorable working conditions and outcomes than other employees. 2) Employees with a work handicap experienced less favorable working conditions and outcomes over time. 3) Employees with chronic health complaints were more vulnerable to the influence of working conditions on outcomes, whereas employees with a work handicap, unexpectedly, benefited from high work pressure and low autonomy.


CONCLUSIONS
1) Employees with a work handicap differ considerably from employees with chronic health complaints. 2) Employees with a work handicap drift into less favorable working conditions and outcomes. 3) Healthy employees, employees with chronic health complaints, and employees with a work handicap, all are vulnerable to different working conditions.
Steenbeek
Romy
R
TNO Work and Employment, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. romy.steenbeek@tno.nl
Giesen
Femke B M
FB
Ybema
Jan Fekke
JF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult