Skip to main content
Log in

Factors Influencing Workplace Supervisor Readiness to Engage in Workplace-Based Vocational Rehabilitation

  • Published:
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction A one-level hypothetical model was formulated to explore factors that influenced the self-reported readiness of workplace managers to engage in workplace (vocational) rehabilitation of past-injured workers attending their workplaces. Methods Seven supervisor latent variables were considered, using 270 supervisors self-rated self-efficacy measures, estimating their ability to pursue four related roles associated with vocational rehabilitation in the workplace. Models identifying supervisor self-efficacy pathways leading to their readiness to engage in vocational rehabilitation in their workplaces were tested using Partial Least Square Analysis (PLSPATH). Results The study’s outcomes suggest that supervisor readiness to engage in workplace vocational rehabilitation with rehabilitating employees can be directly associated with four variables. Together, these variables accounted for 41 per cent of the variance of the supervisors’ self-efficacy scores, defining their readiness to engage in workplace vocational rehabilitation. Significant predictors which had a direct influence on supervisor readiness to engage in vocational rehabilitation were: their perceived financial and liaison roles associated with vocational rehabilitation and their concern with meeting legal aspects of this process. The capacity of the supervisor to interact with others within the workplace organisation when engaging in vocational rehabilitation was also seen as a significant determinant of their readiness to engage in rehabilitation activities. The gender of the supervisor or the number of employees for whom the supervisor was responsible for, were found to have no significant influence on their self-efficacy levels. Conclusions Statistically significant supervisory readiness to engage in vocational workplace rehabilitation is subject to their self-rated abilities to undertake multiple roles involved with the rehabilitation process and a more reflective approach is warranted to prepare supervisors for this role.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Hepburn G, Franche R, Francis L. Successful return to work: the role of fairness and work-based strategies. Int J Workplace Health Manag. 2010;13:7–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Blackman I. Estimating the complexity of workplace rehabilitation using Rasch Analysis. In: Alamagulai S, Curtis D, Hungi N, editors. Applied rasch measurement: a book of exemplars. The Netherlands: Springer; 2005.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Gardner M, Jones E. Problematic communication in the workplace: beliefs of superiors and subordiantes. International Journal of Applied Linguistics. 1999;9:185–203.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. De Ridder J. Organisational communication and supportive employees. Human Resour Manag J. 2006;14:20–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Business SA. Workers compensation: a prgram for reform in South Australia. [Monologue from internet] business-sa.com/assets/policy%20documents/Workers%20Compensation.pdf.

  6. Sekerka L, Zolin R. Rule-bending: can prudential judgment affect rule compliance and values in the workplace? Public Integ. 2007;9:225–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Eakin J, MacFachen E, Clarke J. Playing it smart with return to work: small workplace experience under Ontario’s policy of self-reliance and early return. Policy Practice Health Safety. 2010;2:19–41.

    Google Scholar 

  8. Hendricks D, Batiste L, Hirsh A. Cost and effectiveness of accommodations in the workplace: preliminary results of a nationwide study. Disability Stud Q. 2005;25:4.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Sellin N. PLS path version 3.01 program manual. Germany: Hamburg; 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Noonan R. Partial least squares analysis. In: Husen T, Postlethwaite T, editors. The international encyclopaedia of education, research and studies. Oxford: Permagon Press; 1985.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Falk RF, Miller N. A primer for soft modeling. Akron, Ohio: The University of Akron Press; 1992.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Holmgren K, Ivanoff S. Supervisors’ views on employer resposibility in the return to work process: a focus group study. J Occup Rehabil. 2007;17:93–106.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Shaw W, Robertson M, McLellan R, Verma S, Pransky G. A controlled case study of supervisor training to optimize responses to injury in the food processing industry. Work. 2006;26:107–14.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Shaw W, Hong Q, Pransky G, Loisel P. A literature review describing the role of return-to-work coordinators in trial programs and interventions designed to prevent workplace disability. J Occup Rehabil. 2008;18:2–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Franche R, Baril R, Shaw W, Nicholas M, Loisel P. Workplace-based return to work interventions: optimising the roel stakeholders in implementation and research. J Occup Rehabil. 2005;15(4):525–42.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Pransky G, Shaw W, Franche R, Clarke E. Disability prevention and communication among workers, physicians, employers, and insurers—current models and opportunities for improvement. Disabil Rehabil. 2004;26:625–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Franche R, Cullen K, Clarke J, Irvin E, Sinclair S, Frank J. Workplace-based return-to-work interventions: a systematic review of the quantitative literature. J Occup Rehabil. 2005;15:607–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Insitute for Work & Health. Seven principles for successful return to work [Monograph on the internet]. Avaliable from: http://www.iwh.on.ca/files/seven principles rtw 2007.pdf.

  19. Australian Institute for Primary Care. Facilitators and barriers to return to work: a literature review. Melbourne: La Trobe University; 2006.

  20. Australian Institute for Social Research. The role of the workplace in return to work: survey of the manufacturing industry in South Australia. Adelaide: The University of Adelaide; 2010.

  21. Roberts-Yates C. The concerns and issues of injured workers in relation to claims/injury management and rehabilitation: the need for new operational frameworks. Disabil Rehabil. 2003;25:898.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Friesen M, Yassi A, Cooper J. Return-to-work: the importance of human interactions and organizational structures. Work J Prevent Assess Rehabil. 2001;17:11–22.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Johlke M, Duhan D. Supervisor communication practices and service employee job outcomes. J Serv Res. 2000;3:154–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Sias P. Workplace relationship quality and employee information experiences. Commun Stud. 2005;56:375–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Solovieva T, Walls R, Hendricks D, Dowler D. Cost of workplace accommodations for individuals with disabilities: with or without personal assistance services. Disabil Health J. 2009;2:196–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Hepburn G, Franche R, Francis L. Successful return to work: the role of fairness and work-based strategies. Int J Workplace Health Manag. 2010;3:7–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Nalbandian J. From compliance to consultation: the changing role of the public personnel administrator. Rev Public Person Admin. 1991;1:37–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Aas R, Ellingsen K, Lindøe P, Möller A. Leadership qualities in the return to work process: a content analysis. J Occup Rehabil. 2008;18:335–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Institute for Work & Health. Seven ‘principles’ for successful return to work [Monograph on internet]. Available from: http://www.iwh.on.ca/files/seven_principles_rtw_2007.pdf.

  30. Schon D. Educating the reflective practitioner. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 1987.

  31. Hinett K. Developing reflective practice in legal education [Monograph from internet]. Available from http//www.ukcle.ac.uk/resources/reflection/drp.pdf.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ian Blackman.

Appendix

Appendix

See Table 2.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Blackman, I., Chiveralls, K. Factors Influencing Workplace Supervisor Readiness to Engage in Workplace-Based Vocational Rehabilitation. J Occup Rehabil 21, 537–546 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9297-1

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-011-9297-1

Keywords

Navigation