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Return to work from long-term sick leave: a six-year prospective study of the importance of adjustment latitudes at work and home

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim was to investigate the long-term importance of adjustment latitude for increased work ability and return to work among female human service workers on long-term sick leave.

Methods

A cohort of female human service workers on long-term sick leave (>60 days) was given a questionnaire four times (0, 6, 12, 60 months). Linear mixed models were used for longitudinal analysis of the repeated measurements of work ability and return to work.

Results

Having a higher level of adjustment latitude was associated with both increased work ability and return to work. Adjustments related to work pace were strongly associated with increased work ability, as were adjustments to the work place. Having individual opportunities for taking short breaks and a general acceptance of taking short breaks were associated with increased work ability. At home, a higher level of responsibility for household work was related to increased work ability and return to work. Individuals with possibilities for adjustment latitude, especially pace and place at work, and an acceptance of taking breaks had greater increased work ability over time and a greater work ability compared with individuals who did not have such opportunities.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of opportunities for adjustment latitude at work to increase work ability and return to work among female human service workers who have been on long-term sick leave. The results support push and pull theories for individual decision-making on return to work.

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Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (FORTE) for financial support.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical standards

The project was approved by the Ethics Committee for Gothenburg Region in 2005 and supplemented regarding the 6-year long-term follow-up in 2012.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Caring Science, Work Life and Social Welfare, University of Borås, Borås, Sweden

    Lotta Dellve, Sara L. Fallman & Linda Ahlstrom

  2. Ergonomics, School of Technology and Health, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

    Lotta Dellve

Authors
  1. Lotta Dellve
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  2. Sara L. Fallman
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  3. Linda Ahlstrom
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Correspondence to Lotta Dellve.

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Dellve, L., Fallman, S.L. & Ahlstrom, L. Return to work from long-term sick leave: a six-year prospective study of the importance of adjustment latitudes at work and home. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 89, 171–179 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-015-1061-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-015-1061-y

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