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Employers’ Experience on Involvement in Sickness Absence/Return to Work Support for Employees with Cancer in Small Enterprises

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Abstract

Purpose

Return to work (RTW) is important for employees who have survived cancer, yet it is challenging for employers. Small enterprises (< 100 employees) might have limited resources to facilitate RTW of cancer survivors. The purpose of this article is to examine how such employers engage in the support of RTW and to uncover their needs.

Methods

Eleven owners and one HR manager representing 12 small enterprises (various sectors) were interviewed regarding their experience with RTW of employees surviving cancer. We conducted a thematic analysis with aspects of Grounded Theory.

Results

The characteristics of being a small enterprise (i.e. informal practical arrangements, working as a family, working with limited resources and people) related to four concerns experienced by these employers (concerns about the employer’s enterprise; the employee’s cancer and recovery; RTW and work adjustments; and about communication). In line with these concerns, employers need information on rights and obligations, RTW arrangements and communication skills during RTW guidance.

Conclusions

In small enterprises, employers have generally close relationships with their employees, which means that support is gladly provided when employees are diagnosed with cancer. They do however have limited financial means to facilitate RTW and workplace adjustments. They therefore perceive long-term sickness and RTW as a major financial risk for the company.

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Funding

Kom op Tegen Kanker (KOTK), Koningsstraat 217, 1210 Brussels, BELGIUM.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public Health and Primary Care: Centre for Environment & Health, KU Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35, 5th floor (Blok d, bus 7001), 3000, Leuven, Belgium

    C. Tiedtke & L. Godderis

  2. Department of Social Medicine, Maastricht University, Duboisdomein 30, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands

    A. De Rijk

  3. Faculty of Economics and Business, KU Leuven, Warmoesberg 26, 1000, Brussels, Belgium

    A. Van den Broeck

  4. North West-University, Optentia, Vanderbijlpark Optentia Research Focus Area, P.O. Box 1174, Vanderbijlpark, South Africa

    A. Van den Broeck

Authors
  1. C. Tiedtke
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  2. A. De Rijk
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  3. A. Van den Broeck
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  4. L. Godderis
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. Tiedtke.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Appendix 1: Interviewguide

Appendix 1: Interviewguide

Topics on involvement in SA/RTW-support for employees with cancer

  1. 1.

    Business policy or guidelines on SA and RTW? Familiar with new reintegration policy?

  2. 2.

    Familiar with diagnosis? Share with colleagues (privacy)?

  3. 3.

    Contact with the ill employee? When and why?

  4. 4.

    Consequences for work? Replacement y/n and why (not)?

  5. 5.

    RTW approach:

    1. a.

      Communication (subjects of conversation)?

    2. b.

      RTW initiative?

    3. c.

      Consultation with other stakeholders (occupational physician, social secretariat)

    4. d.

      Considerations, weighing pros and cons?

    5. e.

      Adjustments and agreements?

  6. 6.

    Information used or needed (brochures, Google)?

  7. 7.

    What went well and what did not? Why?

  8. 8.

    Recommendations for owners of small businesses?

  9. 9.

    Something to add?

  10. 10.

    Thank you for your cooperation, openness, and trust!

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Tiedtke, C., De Rijk, A., Van den Broeck, A. et al. Employers’ Experience on Involvement in Sickness Absence/Return to Work Support for Employees with Cancer in Small Enterprises. J Occup Rehabil 30, 635–645 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-020-09887-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-020-09887-x

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