Assisting Employers of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to Support Employees on Long-Term Sick-Leave: Development of a Web-Based SME Tool Using Intervention Mapping.
Purpose: Employers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges in supporting employees on long-term sick-leave, due to limited resources and expertise available. This study aimed to develop an intervention assisting employers of SMEs in supporting long-term sick-listed employees dur...
| Published in: | Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Vol. 36; no. 2; pp. 437 - 456 |
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
| Format: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Published: |
Springer Nature
Jun2026
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| Online Access: | View this record in EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=193142161&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 193142161 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 10530487 JOR jtl: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation issn: 10530487 maglogo: N pubinfo: dt: Jun2026 vid: 36 iid: 2 pid: 237 pub: Springer Nature place: New York, New York artinfo: ui: 193142161 183640180 193142161 193142161 10.1007/s10926-025-10281-8 193142161 ppf: 437 ppct: 19 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: Assisting Employers of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) to Support Employees on Long-Term Sick-Leave: Development of a Web-Based SME Tool Using Intervention Mapping. aug: au: Beerda, Donna C. E. Schaafsma, Frederieke G. Tamminga, Sietske J. de Wind, Astrid de Rijk, Angelique E. Greidanus, Michiel A. affil: https://ror.org/03t4gr691 Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, The Netherlands sug: subj: Employees Psychosocial Factors Employer-Employee Relations Sick Leave Job Re-Entry Internet-Based Intervention Needs Assessment Program Development Human Communication Skills Occupational Health Services Support, Psychosocial Organizational Policies Netherlands Thematic Analysis Semi-Structured Interview Conceptual Framework ab: Purpose: Employers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face challenges in supporting employees on long-term sick-leave, due to limited resources and expertise available. This study aimed to develop an intervention assisting employers of SMEs in supporting long-term sick-listed employees during sick-leave and return to work (RTW). Methods: Intervention mapping (IM) steps 1–4 were employed to develop the intervention. For the needs assessment, 20 employers, 8 employees, 8 occupational physicians, and 9 other stakeholders were interviewed (step 1). A logic model of change was developed (step 2), followed by the identification of theoretical methods for achieving the changes required (step 3). The intervention was composed (step 4), incorporating the results of a pilot test with 4 employers, 4 employees, 4 occupational physicians, and 3 other stakeholders. Results: Identified needs (step 1) span knowledge on legislation, communication skills, stakeholder engagement, practical support, actions regarding RTW, relapse prevention, and organizational policy. Using the self-determination theory as the theoretical basis for improving employer intention and ability to support sick-listed employees (steps 2 and 3), a web-based intervention was developed (step 4) (hereafter: SME tool). The SME tool includes succinct tips, communication videos, and practical checklists. Minor adjustments were made following the pilot test, such as adding supplementary information on privacy regulations and preventive strategies. Conclusion: By focusing on enhancing SME employers' intention and ability to support their long-term sick-listed employee(s), the developed SME tool has the potential to improve the satisfaction of employees with the sick-leave and RTW support of their employer during long-term sick-leave. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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