A theoretical model of co-worker responses to work reintegration processes

Area of Science:

• Occupational health psychology
• Human resource management
• Organizational behavior

Background:

• Co-workers play a crucial role in the return-to-work (RTW) process for employees with partial work capacity.
• Existing literature highlights the influence of social dynamics on employee well-being and productivity.
• Understanding these influences is vital for developing effective workplace reintegration strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a theoretical model explaining the factors influencing co-worker responses to accommodated employees.
• To identify the impact of co-worker behaviors on work reintegration outcomes.
• To integrate findings from human resource and behavioral sciences for a comprehensive model.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search across social sciences, business, and medicine databases.
• Identification and synthesis of existing models on co-worker responses to disability accommodations.
• Development of a comprehensive theoretical model, assessed for internal consistency and external validity.

Main Results:

• Co-worker behaviors are influenced by employee, illness, co-worker, and environmental factors.
• Perceptions of accommodation fairness mediate the relationship between influences and co-worker behavior.
• Co-worker behaviors, ranging from supportive to antagonistic, impact all work reintegration outcomes.
• Behavioral moderators include support type, job social intensity, and antagonism level.

Conclusions:

• Theoretical models are valuable for understanding co-worker influence on work reintegration.
• Fairness perceptions are critical for positive co-worker responses and optimal RTW outcomes.
• Collaborative engagement in reintegration planning can enhance perceptions of fairness.