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Disability management practices in Ontario workplaces: employees' perceptions.
Muriel G Westmorland1, Renee M Williams, Ben C Amick
1School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. westmorl@mcmaster.ca
Disability and Rehabilitation
|August 13, 2005
Summary
Employees want workplaces to involve them in disability management (DM) policies. Clear communication, job accommodation, and retraining are crucial for effective DM programs.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Human Resources Management
- Rehabilitation Science
Background:
- Workplace disability management (DM) is essential for employee well-being and organizational productivity.
- Understanding employee perspectives is key to developing effective DM strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather employee perceptions on current disability management practices in their workplaces.
- To identify key components for successful workplace DM programs from an employee viewpoint.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative data collected via focus groups and telephone interviews with 58 employees in Ontario, Canada.
- Quantitative data gathered using the 22-item Organizational Policies and Practices (OPP) Questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Employees highlighted the importance of job accommodation, clear communication, and retraining.
- Ergonomic modifications, specific DM policies, and health/safety education were identified as vital.
- The OPP Questionnaire demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.95) and discriminant validity.
Conclusions:
- Effective disability management requires active employee communication and consideration of their opinions.
- The OPP Questionnaire is a valuable tool for assessing workplace DM.