title: Union perceptions of factors related to the return to work of employees with depression.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Between 30 and 60% of the societal cost of depression is due to losses related to decreased work productivity. To date, only a few studies have focused on union perspectives related to factors influencing the return-to-work of employees absent due to depression, despite evidence of the importance of these perspectives. The purpose of this study is to develop a better understanding of union perspectives on the factors surrounding the return-to-work of employees who were absent from work due to depression.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this qualitative study, conducted in Canada (Québec), 23 individuals (union representatives and peer workers) from the three largest unions (mixed industries) in Quebec took part in one of three focus groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fourteen emerging themes (e.g., work environment, attitudes toward depression) were distributed over five categories of stakeholders involved in the return-to-work of employees on sick leave (i.e., employers and immediate supervisors, co-workers, employees on sick leave due to depression, general physicians, and unions). We observed four major cross-cutting themes that arose beyond these five categories: (1) organizational culture in which mental health issues and human aspects of work are central, (2) support and follow-up during the work absence and the return-to-work, (3) lack of resources to assist the employee in the return-to-work, and (4) stakeholders' prejudices and discomfort regarding depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results clarify the factors, from a union perspective, that may facilitate or hinder the return-to-work of employees absent from work due to depression.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Action in Work Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (CAPRIT), School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke, 150 Place Charles Le Moyne, Bureau 200, Longueuil, QC, J4K 0A8, Canada, Marc.corbiere@usherbrooke.ca.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corbière
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Renard
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: St-Arnaud
authors.forename: Marie-France
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Coutu
authors.forename: Alessia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Negrini
authors.forename: Geneviève
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sauvé
authors.forename: Tania
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lecomte
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007750:Labor Unions; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011792:Quebec; D062707:Return to Work / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration