Abstract
Objective
The aim of this study is to gain insight into the facilitators, barriers, and support needs of Dutch self-employed workers when returning to work (RTW) after sick leave.
Methods
Three focus groups were conducted, involving 15 Dutch self-employed workers who were on sick leave due to health problems. The transcripts were analyzed through thematic content analysis.
Results
Five main themes regarding barriers, facilitators, and needs of self-employed workers to RTW were identified: autonomy, social support, client management, financial security, and information on sick leave. Having autonomy was considered a facilitator for RTW. However, the participants expressed a need for more financial support, additional guidance from occupational health professionals, and tailored information regarding RTW.
Conclusions
The results of this study emphasize a need for optimizing national policy and support for self-employed workers regarding sick leave and RTW.
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Reference21 articles.
1. Determinants of job satisfaction: a European comparison of self-employed and paid employees;Small Bus Econ,2013
2. How satisfied are the self-employed? A life domain view;J Happiness Stud,2016
3. Self-employed without personnel between freedom and insecurity;WSI-study No. 5,2016
4. The Dutch Gatekeeper Act: how does the reintegration process work?;TBV,2006
5. Arthritis and self-employment: strategies for success from the self-employment literature and from the experiences of people with arthritis;J Vocational Rehabil,2007