Occupational health negotiations in supporting work ability– a descriptive study
Backround Occupational health collaborative negotiations are a central method of collaboration between employer, employee and occupational health (OH) service. There are no previous descriptions of who the participants are, what is usually decided and what the conclusions are.
Methods This study was conducted using data from Pihlajalinna Työterveys – a large nationwide private occupational health care provider. Data on OH negotiations in the years 2013–2015 were collected and categorized for analysis. Data included for example the negotiations‘ participants and the decisions made in the negotiation.
Results OH collaborative negotiations concerned mainly employees who had sickness absences prior to the negotiation, mainly due to musculoskeletal and mental disorders. Negotiation participants agreed on concrete actions on the employees’ work, and working hours were modified for every fourth, and job descriptions for every third, employee. Sickness absence episodes decreased after the negotiation.
Conclusions Concrete decisions were made in the negotiations about the employee’s work. Guidelines should be developed to ensure that the documentation and follow-up of negotiations.