Monique A M Gignac1, Xingshan Cao2, Jessica McAlpine3. 1. Institute for Work and Health, Toronto Western Research Institute, and Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 2. Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 3. Institute for Work and Health and Toronto Western Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the availability, need, and use of workplace policies for workers with osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory arthritis (IA) and their association with employment outcomes. METHODS: Participants (n = 219) were employed, ages ≥25 years, and diagnosed with OA or IA. They were recruited through community advertising and rheumatology clinics in 2 Canadian provinces. Respondents completed a 35-45-minute telephone interview assessing demographics (age, sex), health (diagnosis, pain, activity limitations), work context (job control), employment outcomes (workplace activity limitations, absenteeism, productivity losses, reduced hours), benefits (extended health, short-term leaves), and accommodations (flexible hours, modified schedules, special equipment/adaptations, work-at-home arrangements). Regression analyses examined differences in benefit/accommodation need and use. RESULTS: Many participants reported that arthritis impacted their work. But with the exception of extended health benefits, ∼50-65% of participants reported not needing each individual benefit/accommodation, although only 7.3% of respondents reported needing no benefits or accommodations at all. Greater job control and education were associated with greater perceived need and use of benefits/accommodations. Need was also associated with greater activity limitations, and disclosure of arthritis was related to use of benefits/accommodations. Participants needing but not using workplace policies often had significantly poorer employment outcomes compared to those using benefits/accommodations. CONCLUSION: Findings are relevant to workers with arthritis and to employers. Results suggest that individuals with arthritis are unlikely to be a drain on workplace resources. Many individuals do not use benefits/accommodations until needed, and among those using them, there were generally positive relationships with diverse employment outcomes.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the availability, need, and use of workplace policies for workers with osteoarthritis (OA) and inflammatory arthritis (IA) and their association with employment outcomes. METHODS:Participants (n = 219) were employed, ages ≥25 years, and diagnosed with OA or IA. They were recruited through community advertising and rheumatology clinics in 2 Canadian provinces. Respondents completed a 35-45-minute telephone interview assessing demographics (age, sex), health (diagnosis, pain, activity limitations), work context (job control), employment outcomes (workplace activity limitations, absenteeism, productivity losses, reduced hours), benefits (extended health, short-term leaves), and accommodations (flexible hours, modified schedules, special equipment/adaptations, work-at-home arrangements). Regression analyses examined differences in benefit/accommodation need and use. RESULTS: Many participants reported that arthritis impacted their work. But with the exception of extended health benefits, ∼50-65% of participants reported not needing each individual benefit/accommodation, although only 7.3% of respondents reported needing no benefits or accommodations at all. Greater job control and education were associated with greater perceived need and use of benefits/accommodations. Need was also associated with greater activity limitations, and disclosure of arthritis was related to use of benefits/accommodations. Participants needing but not using workplace policies often had significantly poorer employment outcomes compared to those using benefits/accommodations. CONCLUSION: Findings are relevant to workers with arthritis and to employers. Results suggest that individuals with arthritis are unlikely to be a drain on workplace resources. Many individuals do not use benefits/accommodations until needed, and among those using them, there were generally positive relationships with diverse employment outcomes.
Authors: Monique A M Gignac; Julie Bowring; Sabrina Tonima; Renee-Louise Franche; Aaron Thompson; Arif Jetha; Peter M Smith; Joy C Macdermid; William S Shaw; Dwayne Van Eerd; Dorcas E Beaton; Emma Irvin; Emile Tompa; Ron Saunders Journal: J Occup Rehabil Date: 2022-07-14
Authors: Emma Paulides; Richard B Gearry; Nanne K H de Boer; Chris J J Mulder; Charles N Bernstein; Andrew M McCombie Journal: Inflamm Intest Dis Date: 2019-01-03
Authors: Monique A M Gignac; Selahadin Ibrahim; Peter M Smith; Vicki Kristman; Dorcas E Beaton; Cameron A Mustard Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2018-04-18 Impact factor: 2.179
Authors: Monique A M Gignac; Vicki Kristman; Peter M Smith; Dorcas E Beaton; Elizabeth M Badley; Selahadin Ibrahim; Cameron A Mustard Journal: Work Aging Retire Date: 2018-04-18