Over re-integratie: ervaringen van professionals en Marokkaanse en Turkse werknemers

Doel van dit kwalitatief onderzoek is inzicht krijgen in hoe re-integratie ervaren wordt door Marokkaanse en Turkse werknemers met aanhoudende vermoeidheidsklachten en participatieproblemen, en door betrokken re-integratieprofessionals die hen begeleiden. Data werd verzameld met face-to-face interviews aan de hand van een semigestructureerde vragenlijst. Er werden elf professionals en zeven werknemers uit de doelgroep geïnterviewd. De interviews werden opgenomen en getranscribeerd. De analyse werd gestart met open coderen en werd gevolgd door axiaal en selectief coderen.

De meest opvallende factoren die re-integratie belemmeren zijn miscommunicatie op de werkvloer, gebrek aan loopbaanperspectief, denkpatronen en vooroordelen van de professional, moeite van werknemers met het aangeven van grenzen en late ziekmelding. Bevorderende factoren zijn begrip en waardering vanuit de werkgever, goede (interculturele) communicatie op de werkvloer, voorlichting aan werknemers rondom arbeid en gezondheid en alertheid van professionals op overbelasting en stressgerelateerde klachten bij Marokkaanse en Turkse werknemers.

The perception of illness and health is partly determined by the ethnic origin, with specific determinants for mental complaints. Caused by a lack of specific knowledge and skills, the perspective of a health care professional could potentially hinder the reintegration of employees with an ethnic background where behaviour is partly determined by a group-culture.

The aim of this qualitative study was to gain an insight into how the return to work is currently experienced by Moroccan and Turkish workers with persistent fatigue and participation problems, and by the counselling reintegration professionals. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews in March and June 2010 using a semi-structured questionnaire. Eleven professionals with at least 6 years experience of working with employees with a Turkish or Moroccan background displaying persistent fatigue and participation problems were interviewed, as well as seven Turkish and Moroccan employees with persistent fatigue complaints. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. The analysis started with open coding and was followed by axial and selective coding.

Prominent factors that hinder return to work are miscommunication in the workplace and lack of career prospects. Thought patterns and prejudices among professionals, workers’ difficulties in setting boundaries and recognition of ill health also hinder a return to work. Understanding and appreciation by the employer, good (intercultural) communication in the workplace, the provision of information about occupational health to employees and an alertness among professionals to overload and stress symptoms in Moroccan and Turkish workers are factors promoting a return to work.