nach oben

Erschienen in:

31.10.2015

The provision of workplace accommodations following cancer: survivor, provider, and employer perspectives

verfasst von: Mary Stergiou-Kita, Cheryl Pritlove, Dwayne van Eerd, Linn D. Holness, Bonnie Kirsh, Andrea Duncan, Jennifer Jones

Erschienen in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Ausgabe 3/2016

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Purpose

With improvements in screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the number of persons surviving cancer and staying at or returning to work is increasing. While workplace accommodations optimize workers’ abilities to participate in the workforce, there has been little in-depth investigation of the types of accommodations reported to have been provided to cancer survivors and the processes relevant to ensuring their successful implementation.

Methods

We employed an exploratory qualitative method and conducted 40 semi-structured interviews with three groups: (i) cancers survivors (n = 16), (ii) health/vocational service providers (n = 16), and (iii) employer representatives (n = 8) to explore return to work and accommodation processes, successes, and challenges. An inductive thematic analysis approach was used to analyze the data.

Results

Four types of accommodations were recommended: (1) graduated return to work plans and flexible scheduling, (2) modification of work duties and performance expectations, (3) retraining and supports at the workplace, and (4) modification of the physical work environment and/or the provision of adaptive aids/technologies. Processes relevant to ensuring effective accommodations included: (1) developing knowledge about accommodations, (2) employer’s ability to accommodate, (3) negotiating reasonable accommodations, (4) customizing accommodations, and (5) implementing and monitoring accommodation plans. Accommodation challenges included: (1) survivors’ fears requesting accommodations, (2) developing clear and specific accommodations, (3) difficult to accommodate jobs, and (4) workplace challenges, including strained pre-cancer workplace relationships, insufficient/inflexible workplace policies, employer concerns regarding productivity and precedent setting, and limited modified duties.

Conclusions

Accommodations need to be customized and clearly linked to survivors’ specific job demands, work context, and available workplace supports. Survivors need to feel comfortable disclosing the need for accommodations. Ongoing communication and monitoring are required to ensure accommodations are implemented and changes made to the return to work plan as required.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

The provision of appropriate workplace accommodations can enhance survivors’ abilities to stay or return to work.

Under the Ontario Human Rights Code, undue hardship may be claimed by employers in situations where costs of accommodations may be excessive and when there are identified occupational health and safety risks [37]

de Boer AG, Taskila T, Tamminga SJ, et al. Interventions to enhance return to work for cancer patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;Art.No;CD007569.

Nitkins P, Parkinson M, Schultz I. Cancer and work: a Canadian perspective. 2011. Available from: http://www.capo.ca/pdf/CancerandWork-ACanadianPerspective.pdf.

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. 2012–2017 Strategic Plan. Sustaining action toward a shared vision. Available from: http://www.partnershipagainstcancer.ca/wp-content/uploads/Sustaining-Action-Toward-a-Shared-Vision-Full-Document.pdf.

Spelten ER, Sprangers MA, Verbeek JH. Factors reported to influence the return to work of cancer survivors: a literature review. Psychooncology. 2002;11:124–31.CrossRefPubMed

Short PF, Vasey JJ, Tunceli K. Employment pathways in a large cohort of adult cancer survivors. Cancer. 2005;103(6):1292–301.CrossRefPubMed

de Boer AG, Verbeek JH, Uitternoeve A, et al. Work ability and return-to-work in cancer patients. Br J Cancer. 2008;98(8):1342–7.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Kennedy F. Returning to work following cancer: a qualitative exploratory study into the experience of returning to work following cancer. Europ J Cancer Care. 2007;16:17–25.CrossRef

Rasmussen DM, Elverdam B. The meaning of work and working life after cancer: an interview study. Psychooncology. 2008;17(12):1232–8.CrossRefPubMed

Stergiou-Kita M, Grigorovich A, Tseung V, et al. Qualitative meta-synthesis of survivors’ work experiences and the development of strategies to facilitate return to work. J Cancer Surviv. 2014;8(4):657–70.CrossRefPubMed

10.

Roelen CA, Koopmans PC, Groothoff JW, van der Klink JJ, Bultmann U. Return to work after cancer diagnosis in 2001, 2005 and 2008. J Occup Rehabil. 2011;21:335–41.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

11.

Mehnert A. Employment and work-related issues in cancer survivors. Crit Rev Oncol Hematol. 2011;77:109–30.CrossRefPubMed

12.

Roelen CA, Koopmans PC, van Rhenen E, Groothoff JW, van der Klink JJ, Bultmann U. Trends in return to work of breast cancer survivors. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2011;128(1):237–42.CrossRefPubMed

13.

McKean-Cowdin R, Razavi P, Preston-Martin S. Brain tumours. Brain Tumours. 2008;338–47.

14.

de Boer AG, Taskila T, Ojajarvi A, van Dijk FJ, Verbeek JH. Cancer survivors and unemployment: a metaanalysis and meta-regression. JAMA. 2009;301(7):753–62.CrossRefPubMed

15.

Main DS, Nowels CT, Cavender TA, Etschmaier M, Steiner J. A qualitative study of work and work return in cancer survivors. Psychooncology. 2005;14(11):992–1004.CrossRefPubMed

16.

Nachreiner NM, Dagher RK, McGovern PM, Baker BA, Alexander BH, Gerberich SG. Successful return to work for cancer survivors. AAOHN J. 2007;55(7):290–5.CrossRefPubMed

17.

McKay G, Knott V, Delfabbro P. Return to work and cancer: the Australian experience. J Occup Rehabil. 2013;23:93–105.CrossRefPubMed

18.

Amir Z, Neary D, Luker K. Cancer survivors’ views of work 3 years post diagnosis: a UK perspective. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2008;12(3):190–7.CrossRefPubMed

19.

Nilsson MI, Olsson M, Wennman-Larsen, Petersson LM, Alexanderson K. Women’s reflections and actions regarding working after breast cancer surgery – a focus group. Psychooncology. 2013;22(7):1639–44.CrossRefPubMed

20.

Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. 2012. Return to work concerns faced by people dealing with cancer and caregivers. Available from: http://www.cancerview.ca/idc/groups/public/documents/webcontent/rtw_literature_review.pdf.

21.

Lindbohm M-L, Viikari-Juntura E. Cancer survivors’ return to work: importance of work accommodations and collaboration between stakeholders. Occup Environ Med. 2010;67(9):578–9.CrossRefPubMed

22.

Tamminga SJ, de Boer AG, Verbeek JH, Frings-Dresen MH. Breast cancer survivors’ views of factors that influence the return to work process-a qualitative study. Scan J Work Environ Health. 2012;38(2):144–54.CrossRef

23.

Yu M, Ferrucci LM, McCorkle R, et al. Employment experience of cancer survivors 2 years post-diagnosis in the Study of Cancer Survivors – 1. J Cancer Surv. 2012;6:210–18.CrossRef

24.

Feurestein M, Luff GM, Harrington CB, Olsen CH. Patterns of workplace disputes in cancer survivors: a population study of ADA claims. J Cancer Surviv. 2007;1:189–92.

25.

Job Accommodations Network. Available at: http://askjan.org/.

26.

Shreuer N. Accommodation outcomes and the ICF framework. Assist Technol. 2009;21:94–104.CrossRef

27.

Robinson C. Using engineering and assistive technologies for rehabilitation after electrical trauma. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 1999;888:317–26.CrossRefPubMed

28.

Stoddard S. Personal assistance services as a workplace accommodation. Work. 2006;27:363–69.PubMed

29.

Shaw WS, Kristman VL, Vezina N. Workplace issues. In: Loisel P, Anema JR, editors. Handbook of work disability: prevention and management. New York: Springer; 2012. p. 163–82.

30.

Lund T, Labriola M, Christensen KB, Bultmann U, Villadsen E. Return to work among sickness absent Danish employees: prospective results from the Danish work environment cohort study/national register on social transfer payments. Int J Rehabil Res. 2006;29(3):229–35.CrossRefPubMed

31.

Steenstra IA, Verbeek JH, Heymans MW, Bongers PM. Prognostic factors for duration of sick leave in patients sick listed with acute low back pain: a systematic review of the literature. Occup Environ Med. 2005;62(12):851–60.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

32.

Amick III BC, Habeck RV, Hunt A, et al. Measuring the impact of organizational behaviours on work disability prevention and management. J Occup Rehabil. 2000;10(1):21–38.CrossRef

33.

Clougherty JE, Souza K, Cullen MR. Work and its role in shaping the social gradient in health. Ann New York Acad Sci. 2010;1186(1):102–24.CrossRef

34.

Huang YH, Pransky GS, Shaw WS, Benjamin KL, Savageau JA. Factors affecting organizational responses of employers to workers with injuries. Work. 2006;26(1):75–84.PubMed

35.

Taskila T, Boer A, van Dijk F, Verbeek J. Fatigue and its correlated in cancer patients who had returned to work—a cohort study. Psychooncology. 2011;20:1236–41.CrossRefPubMed

36.

Brown RF, Owens M, Bradley C. Employee to employer communication skills: balancing cancer treatment and employment. Psychooncology. 2013;22:426–33.PubMed

37.

Ontario Human Rights Code. Available at: http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/ontario-human-rights-code.

38.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act: Accessibility Standards for Employment. Available at: http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/source/regs/english/2011/elaws_src_regs_r11191_e.htm.

39.

Grunfeld EA, Low E, Cooper AF. Cancer survivors’ and employers’ perceptions of working following cancer treatment. Occup Med. 2010;60:611–7.CrossRef

40.

Amir Z, Wynn P, Chan F, Strauser D, Whitaker S, Luker K. Return to work after cancer in the UK: attitudes and experiences of line managers. J Occup Rehabil. 2010;20:435–42.CrossRefPubMed

41.

Bains M, Yarker J, Amir Z, Wynn P, Munir F. Helping cancer survivors return to work: what providers tell us about the challenges in assisting cancer patients with work questions. J Occup Rehabil. 2012;22(1):71–7.CrossRefPubMed

42.

Groeneveld IF, de Boer AG, Frings-Dresen MH. Physical exercise and return to work: cancer survivors’ experiences. J Cancer Surviv. 2013;7(2):237–46.CrossRefPubMed

43.

Schmalenberger S, Gessert CE, Glebenhain JE, Starr LD. Working after breast cancer treatment: lessons from musicians. Med Probl Perform Art. 2012;27(4):175–80.PubMed

44.

Pryce J, Munir F, Haslam C. Cancer survivorship and work: symptoms, supervisor response, co-worker disclosure and work adjustment. J Occup Rehabil. 2007;17(1):83–92.CrossRefPubMed

45.

Yarker J, Munir F, Bains M, Kalawsky K, Haslam C. The role of communication and support in return to work following cancer‐related absence. Psychooncology. 2010;19(10):1078–85.CrossRefPubMed

46.

Grunfeld EA, Rixon L, Eaton E, Cooper AF. The organizational perspective on the return to work of employees following treatment for cancer. J Occup Rehabil. 2008;18:381–8.CrossRefPubMed

47.

Moon NW, Baker PMA. Assessing stakeholder perceptions of workplace accommodation barriers: results from a policy research instrument. J Disab Policy Stud. 2012;23(2):94–109.CrossRef

48.

Shaw L, Lindsay R. Renewing focus and building capacity for enacting authentic collaboration in work rehabilitation. Work. 2008;30(3):215–8.PubMed

49.

Shaw WS, Feuerstein M. Generating workplace accommodations: lessons learned from the integrated case management study. J Occup Rehabil. 2004;14(3):207–16.CrossRefPubMed

50.

Creswell JW. Research design, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. 3rd ed. Los Angeles: Sage Publications, Inc.; 2009.

51.

Young AE, Wasiak R, Roessler RT, McPherson KM, Anema JR, van Poppel MN. Return-to-work outcomes following work disability: stakeholder motivations, interests and concerns. J Occup Rehabil. 2005;15:543–56.CrossRefPubMed

52.

Gordon D, Jauregui M, Schnall P. Stakeholder perspectives on work and stress: Seeking common grounds. In: Schnall P, Dobson M, Roshkam E, editors. Unhealthy work: causes, consequences, cures. New York: Baywood Publishing Company; 2009. p. 173–92.

53.

Stergiou-Kita M, Rappolt S, Kirsh B, Shaw L. Evaluating work readiness following acquired brain injury: building a shared understanding. Can J Occup Ther. 2009;78(4):276–84.CrossRef

54.

Roberts-Yates DC. Employers’ perceptions of claims/injury management and rehabilitation in South Australia. Asia Pacif J Hum Res. 2006;44(1):102–22.CrossRef

55.

Larsson A, Gard G. How can the rehabilitation planning process at the workplace be improved? a qualitative study from employers’ perspective. J Occup Rehabil. 2003;13(3):169–81.CrossRefPubMed

56.

Young AE. Return to work stakeholders’ perspectives on work disability. In: Loisel P, Anema JR, editors. Handbook of work disability. New York: Springer; 2013. p. 409–23.CrossRef

57.

Hoefsmit N, de Rijk A, Houkes I. Work resumption at the price of distrust: a qualitative study on return to work legislation in the Netherlands. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:153. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-13-153.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

58.

Stahl C, Svensson T, Petersson G, Ekberg K. A matter of trust? A study of coordination of Swedish stakeholders in return-to-work. J Occup Rehabil. 2010;20(3):299310.CrossRef

59.

Lippel K. Preserving workers’ dignity in workers’ compensation systems: an international perspective. Am J Ind Med. 2012;55(6):519–36.CrossRefPubMed

60.

Stahl C, MacEachen E, Lippel K. Ethical perspectives in work disability prevention and return to work: toward a common vocabulary for analyzing stakeholders’ actions and interactions. J Bus Ethics. 2014;120:237–50.CrossRef

61.

Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol. 2006;3(2):77–101.CrossRef

62.

Charmaz K. Constructing grounded theory. Thousand Oaks: Sage; 2006.

63.

Seale C. Quality in qualitative research. Qual Inq. 1999;5.

64.

Mays N, Pope C. Qualitative research in health care: assessing quality in qualitative research. BMJ. 2000;320(7226):50–2.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

65.

Williams M, Sabata D, Zolna J. User needs evaluation of workplace accommodations. Work. 2006;27:355–62.PubMed

66.

Franche RL, Severin C, Hogg-Johnson S, Lee H, Cote P, Krause N. A multivariate analysis of factors associated with early offer and acceptance of a work accommodation following an occupational musculoskeletal injury. JOEM. 2009;51(8):969–83.PubMed

67.

Varakamp I, van Dijk F. Workplace problems and solutions for employees with chronic diseases. Occup Med. 2010;60:287–93.CrossRef

68.

Wang J, Patten S, Currie S, Sareen J, Schmitz N. Perceived needs for and use of workplace accommodations by individuals with a depressive and/or anxiety disorder. JOEM. 2011;53(11):1268–72.PubMed

69.

McDonald-Wilson K, Rogers E, Massaro J, Lyass A, Crean T. An investigation of reasonable workplace accommodations for people with psychiatric disabilities: quantitative findings from a multi-site study. Community Ment Health J. 2002;38(1):35–50.CrossRef

70.

Canadian Human Rights Commission. Available at: http://www.ccdp-chrc.ca/eng/content/provincial-and-territorial-human-rights-agencies.

71.

Job Accommodations Network, Available at: https://askjan.org/media/canc.htm.

Titel: The provision of workplace accommodations following cancer: survivor, provider, and employer perspectives
verfasst von: Mary Stergiou-Kita
Cheryl Pritlove
Dwayne van Eerd
Linn D. Holness
Bonnie Kirsh
Andrea Duncan
Jennifer Jones
Publikationsdatum: 31.10.2015
Verlag: Springer US
Erschienen in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Ausgabe 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Elektronische ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-015-0492-5

Springer Medizin

The provision of workplace accommodations following cancer: survivor, provider, and employer perspectives

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Neu im Fachgebiet Onkologie

Adjuvante Immuntherapie verlängert Leben bei RCC

Alectinib verbessert krankheitsfreies Überleben bei ALK-positivem NSCLC

Bei Senioren mit Prostatakarzinom auf Anämie achten!

ICI-Therapie in der Schwangerschaft wird gut toleriert

Update Onkologie

Springer Medizin

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Bitte loggen Sie sich ein, um Zugang zu diesem Inhalt zu erhalten

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 3/2016

Patterns and predictors of survivorship clinic attendance in a population-based sample of pediatric and young adult childhood cancer survivors

Lost workdays in uterine cervical cancer survivors compared to the general population: impact of treatment and relapse

The Cognitive Symptom Checklist-Work in cancer patients is related with work functioning, fatigue and depressive symptoms: a validation study

The salience of cancer and the “survivor” identity for people who have completed acute cancer treatment: a qualitative study

Racial and ethnic disparities in cost-related medication non-adherence among cancer survivors

Sexual health problems in French cancer survivors 2 years after diagnosis—the national VICAN survey

Neu im Fachgebiet Onkologie

Adjuvante Immuntherapie verlängert Leben bei RCC

Alectinib verbessert krankheitsfreies Überleben bei ALK-positivem NSCLC

Bei Senioren mit Prostatakarzinom auf Anämie achten!

ICI-Therapie in der Schwangerschaft wird gut toleriert

Update Onkologie