At home in working from home: A guideline for responsible embedding of working from home in reintegration programs in the event of absenteeism

Question In reintegration programs in the event of absenteeism, returning to the physical workplace is central to maintaining ties with work and minimizing the barrier to resuming work. Until now, working from home has not been seen, or widely applied, as a potentially effective tool for reintegration. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the facilities are in order to make working from home possible in different work contexts. This creates momentum to evaluate the value of working from home in reintegration. How can working from home be responsibly embedded in reintegration programs in the event of absenteeism, so that it facilitates an early return to work? Research In co-creation with employees, managers, company doctors and labor experts, a draft guideline is being developed for the application of working from home in reintegration processes. After this, the influence of embedding working from home in reintegration processes will be investigated within two organizations (Radboud University and UWV) in three work contexts (screen work, education, client contact). The influence on the recovery course and return to work, bonding with work and motivation and the experience of the reintegration process by employees, managers, company doctors and labor experts are examined. Based on this, a definitive evidence-based home work guide and user training will be developed. Result The aim of this project is to develop, together with practice stakeholders, a working from home guideline that enables managers, employees, company doctors and labor experts to systematically consider whether, when, for whom and under what circumstances working from home can contribute to a responsible return to work. Dissemination and implementation The guidance and training are integrated into an educational module of the company doctor training (via project partner SGBO, RadboudUMC). In addition, a symposium is being organized for company doctors, HR professionals and labor experts. The products, including educational videos, are offered via the project website and websites of the parties involved. Professional publications and open access scientific publications are also developed. Organizations involved Radboud University, Amsterdam UMC, Further training to become a company doctor (SGBO), UWV, Arbo Unie BV, Dutch Association for Occupational and Occupational Medicine (NVAB), Dutch Association for Occupational Health and Safety Experts (NVvA)