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ACCEPTABILITY OF A WORK-FOCUSED TOOLKIT AND COACHING TO SUPPORT THE RETURN TO WORK OF INDIVIDUALS ON LONG-TERM SICK LEAVE

A.Sinclair, Affinity Health at Work, London, UK

Background

Keeping people in work after long-term sickness absence (LTSA) is a growing challenge, with economic inactivity due to ill health on the rise (ONS, 2023). Beyond health issues, factors such as low self-efficacy, poor managerial support, and inadequate workplace adjustments hinder return-to-work (RTW) success (Etuknwa et al., 2019; Nielsen & Yarker, 2024). The IGLOo intervention is a multi-level approach supporting key RTW stakeholders: Individuals, Groups (colleagues), Leaders (managers), and Organisations. The individual-focused resources encourage active participation in RTW through a structured toolkit with guidance, exercises, checklists, and one-to-one coaching.

Aims

Funded by NIHR, this study assessed the feasibility of IGLOo in an RCT in large Yorkshire & Humber organisations. This presentation explores qualitative feedback from participants who used the individual toolkit and received up to three coaching sessions at 1, 2, and 3 months post-access.

Methods

43 LTSA participants (>14 days) from two NHS organisations and a university received the toolkit (online or hard copy); 25 opted for coaching, and 18 completed all three sessions. Coaching was delivered via phone or Teams by trained researchers. Two qualitative interviews with participants were conducted post-RTW (n=26) and at 12 months (n=17).

Results & Conclusions

Participants valued the toolkit for providing guidance during RTW, for improving ownership of wellbeing, communication and workplace adjustments, and for increasing confidence in seeking support. Coaching enhanced engagement with the resources and accountability, and coaches were valued for their supportive, non-judgemental approach. A combined toolkit and coaching intervention shows promise, particularly alongside manager and colleague-focused interventions.

References:

Some of these relate to the bullet points below.

1. Etuknwa A, Daniels K, Eib C. (2019) Sustainable return to work: a systematic review focusing on personal and social factors. J Occupl Rehabil 29:679–700.

https:// doi. org/ 10. 1007/ s10926- 019- 09832-7.

2. Xu H, Cai J, Sawhney R, Jiang S, Buys N, Sun J. (2024) The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy in Helping People on Sick Leave to Return to Work: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. J Occup Rehabil. Mar;34(1):4-36. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-023-10116-4
3. Nielsen, K., & Yarker, J. (2024) Thrivers, survivors or exiteers: A longitudinal, interpretative phenomenological analysis of the post‐return‐to‐work journeys for workers with common mental disorders. Applied Psychology: An International Review, 73(1), 267–295. https://doi.org/10.1111/apps.12479
4. Office for National Statistics (2023) Rising ill-health and economic inactivity because of long-term sickness, UK: 2019 to 2023. Accessed 19/06/2024

https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplenotinwork/economicinactivity/articles/risingillhealthandeconomicinactivitybecauseoflongtermsicknessuk/2019to2023

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