"We [have] to Get Them Coming Back to Work … Make The Offer, Make It Available, Make It Meaningful:" Returning to...

Sworn and civilian members of any police service are exposed to incidents that increase their risk for mental and/or physical injuries, which may require leave from work. Any leave requires reintegration back into their work environment and occupational responsibilities, yet the literature on the return-to-work (RTW) process is sparse, particularly in policing, revealing a pressing need to identify how RTW can be done successfully.

Thus, using semi-structured interviews, we explored the RTW experiences, thoughts, and recommendations of 128 sworn and civilian police members. Coded data were analyzed to focus on common as well as root causes of contradictory experiences and interpretations, all emergent from the data.

Findings revealed how most participants who took a leave of absence were off for an extended period and had a negative experience due to a lack of organizational support, stigma, and poor communication. Those on leave for a shorter time had more positive experiences due to feelings of organizational support, including incorporating a gradual and task-modified return. Participants felt their leave and RTW processes could be improved with a reintegration strategy that included organizational support, effective communication, and modified duties.

We suggest processes for re-entry should be individual-specific, meaningful, and flexible, including check-ins and accommodations upon their return.