Affiliations: Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences,
Department of Social and Welfare Studies, Sweden | Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences,
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Psychiatry,
Sweden
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Elin Ekbladh, Linköping
University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Social and Welfare
Studies, SE-601 74 Norrköping, Sweden. Tel.: +46 11 363182; Fax: +46 11
363189; E-mail: Elin.Ekbladh@liu.se
Abstract: Purpose: The aims were to describe and analyze how people with
experience of long term sick leave perceive that factors in their work
environment support or interfere with work performance, satisfaction, and
well-being. Method: The 53 participants were interviewed with the Work
Environment Impact Scale (WEIS). The WEIS ratings and belonging notes were
analyzed by descriptive statistics and qualitative analysis respectively.
Differences in WEIS ratings between; women and men; participants with somatic
and mental diseases; and participants working and on full-time sick leave were
tested. Results: The most supportive factors concerned social
interactions at work, and the value and meaning of work. The factors perceived
as most interfering concerned work demands and rewards. The social relations at
work were perceived as more supportive by the working group than by those on
full-time sick leave. The participants with somatic diseases perceived physical
work factors as more interfering than did participants with mental diseases,
who in turn perceived the value and meaning of work as more interfering. Conclusion: Knowledge about the interaction between the worker and the work
environment could reveal useful information about the complex phenomenon of
reducing sick leave. The WEIS seems useful in providing information about how
alterations and accommodations in the work environment could support individual
workers.
