Disability management strategies: A preliminary investigation of perceptions, policies and return-to-work outcomes.

The objectives of this retrospective study were to (a) examine the predictive value of DM perceptions and DM policies in return-to-work outcomes for the injured worker; (b) examine factors that influence DM perceptions, DM policies, and Return-to-work outcomes; and (c) examine the relationship between demographic factors of the individual and return to work outcomes. Employers from a Northern BC community were randomly selected to participate. Analysis of the data supported the hypothesis that company perception towards DM is a significant contributing factor to the presence of DM policies in the workplace. The study draws particular attention to the need for collaboration with WCB to supplement claims data reported by employers. Interestingly, the instrument constructed for the study shows potential. With further development the tool may be valuable in identifying incongruent attitudes towards DM between different levels of an organization. As a future direction this would merit additional investigation.