title: The concept of `work ability' from the view point of employers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since work ability is manifested in working life and ``bought'' by employers, employers perceptions of the concept are important to understand. Studies have shown that people with health problems want to take part in the labour market, but experience difficulties in gaining access. Additionally, studies have demonstrated the doubt felt by employers when they consider hiring a person with a disability.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to identify and characterise employers' conceptions of work ability.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study design was qualitative with a phenomenographic approach. Six male and six female employers from various workplaces and geographical areas in Sweden were interviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three domains were identified: employees' contributions to work ability, employers' contributions to work ability and circumstances with limited work ability. Work ability was regarded as a tool in production and its output, production, was the main issue. The employees' commitment and interest could bridge other shortcomings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The employers highlighted their own contributions in shaping work ability in order to fit with work circumstances. Health problems were not the only limiting issues; other circumstances, such as individual characteristics and contextual factors, could limit work ability too. Knowing the importance of commitment and interest is valuable in work rehabilitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Jönköping, Sweden.|Nyckeln Competence Centre for Pedagogics in Healthcare, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden.
authors.forename: Inger
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Jansson
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, School of Health Sciences, Jönköping, Sweden.
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Björklund
authors.affiliation: Nyckeln Competence Centre for Pedagogics in Healthcare, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden.|Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kent-Inge
authors.initials: KI
authors.lastname: Perseius
authors.affiliation: Unit for Research and Development, Kronoberg County Council, Växjö, Sweden.
authors.forename: A Birgitta
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Gunnarsson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002605:Character; D004526:Efficiency; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010560:Personnel Selection / Q000458:organization & administration*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D066107:Social Skills; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: Disability; vocational rehabilitation; work demand