Occupational reintegration management from an employee perspective
Qualitative study of care and support facilities
Introduction:
Demographic trends and the associated shortage of skilled workers mean that older employees are becoming increasingly important to companies, which must rely on the resources of an aging workforce. Older people are more likely to be unfit for work, which results in more absenteeism. The legislature approved the occupational reintegration management (BEM) in 2004 in order to maintain and promote the ability of emloyees to work. The aim of the investigation was to determine employees’ perspective of BEM, as this has received little coverage as a subject of research.
Methods:
The research field was represented by a total of six care and support facilities in east Thuringia. The research question was: “What expectations do employees have regarding BEM?” Grounded theory was used to carry out nine guided interviews with employees in care and support facilities. The data was analysed by using the qualitative content analysis according to Mayring.
Results:
Incapacity for work places a wide range of burdens on those affected by it. This is often accompanied by a change in attitudes and behaviour. Reintegration management is therefore perceived as a very important and helpful institution for return to work. A considerable deficit of knowledge on the subject of BEM was nevertheless discovered.
Conclusion:
Affected persons expect to be able to keep their job as a result of BEM. The BEM process should be characterised by a step-by-step approach. Colleagues are crucial to a successful return to work as they can support the reintegration with understanding and consideration. Medical specialists were also considered to be very important to integration. Other expectations addressed improvements in the area of workplace health promotion.
