Article

Contemporary return-to-work (RTW) policies in Denmark and other welfare
nations recommend employees on long-term sick leave, due to physical or mental
health problems, to RTW gradually. Factors that influence the process of work
reintegration (WR) is well documented, however,
co-workers experiences of this
process are a rather new research topic. Moreover, in the context of the present
research, no studies have so far explored the workplace as an arena for social
interaction. The aim of this study was to explore co-workers' experiences of the
reintegration process and how these experiences are related to social positions
at the workplace. METHODS: Ethnographic fieldwork was conducted at two nursing
homes that were in a process WR after long-term sick leave. The data consist of
field notes, policy documents, individual interviews, and focus group interviews.
Data were organized by use of NVivo. A theoretical framework was adopted which
enabled us to approach and interpret the reintegration process as one that
changed the social position of the returning employee. RESULTS: The dataset
demonstrates how the returnee is in a state of being betwixt and between the
social positions of a co-worker and a non-co-worker. This is illustrated in three
cases which show that this state prevents the returnee from taking on the role as
a co-worker, excludes the returnee from the workplace, and creates uncertainty
for all workplace actors. CONCLUSION: The study highlighted that WR creates a
social position for the returnee that complicates the working routine and causes
uncertainty in social interactions. Implications for Rehabilitation Work
reintegration (WR) after long-term sick leave is commonly characterized by
reduced working hours and modified working tasks.
The WR process influences the
whole work place including co-workers' everyday working life and complicates work
situations where work tasks and roles are negotiated between the returning worker
and co-workers. Future WR policies and guidelines could benefit from integrating
co-workers' perspective to ensure that the returning worker is not socially
excluded as well as ensuring that co-workers are not overburdened in the process.

Langue : ANGLAIS