Research Plus

Workplace adjustments

Workplace adjustments can be effective and cost-effective in promoting employment among people with physical disabilities, this systematic review of 11 included studies finds. There is moderate-quality evidence that specific adjustments – vocational counselling, education and self-advocacy, help of others, changing work schedules, work organisation and special transportation – help maintain employment, as well as reduce costs. There is low-quality evidence, from one non-randomised study, that adjustments coordinated by a vocational rehabilitation case manager increase return-to-work rates for people recovering from a traumatic brain injury and are cost-effective. Facilitators and barriers to employment include: self-advocacy; employer and community support; the amount of training and counselling received by the disabled person; and flexibility with respect to work schedules and organisation. 

1. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation 2014; online first: doi:  dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10926-014-9548-z

Tags evidence based practice reasonable adjustments

Occupational Health at Work December/January 2014/2015 (vol. 11/4) pp40