Return-to-Work challenges faced by non-regular workers: Insights from a four-year panel study in South Korea

Area of Science:

• Occupational health
• Labor economics
• Sociology of work

Background:

• Non-regular workers comprise 37% of South Korea's workforce, facing higher occupational injury risks.
• Limited empirical research exists on return-to-work (RTW) outcomes for this vulnerable group.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare RTW outcomes between regular and non-regular workers over four years.
• Identify predictors of RTW specific to each employment group using a multidimensional framework.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from 2643 occupationally injured workers (2018-2021) from the Panel Study of Workers' Compensation Insurance.
• Employed random-effects panel multinomial logistic regression models, analyzed separately and pooled for interaction effects.

Main Results:

• Non-regular workers were more likely to be unemployed or reemployed elsewhere; regular workers favored returning to their original jobs.
• Self-efficacy and social interaction positively influenced RTW for both groups, but via different mechanisms.
• Labor union presence significantly aided RTW only for regular workers.

Conclusions:

• Non-regular workers exhibit unique RTW patterns post-occupational injury, influenced by structural factors.
• Interventions should bolster psychological and social resources for non-regular workers.
• Institutional reforms are necessary to enhance sustainable reintegration for non-regular employees.