Disability Management: A system of response or a response to a system?

Adebate is emerging regarding the best way to ensure the timely and efficient return to work (RTW) of workers who have become long term absent (LTA) for health reasons. Elements of this debate center on the roles of the individual, the rehabilitation agent, the employing organisation and the rehabilitation and reintegration system. Recent years have seen the emergence of new approaches to managing LTA, mostly focusing on disability management and on amendments to welfare and rehabilitation systems. This paper discusses these trends in the light of a 6-year research programme carried out in Ireland, involving both national and transnational studies which have sought to identify the key elements of successful LTA policies and practices. It also reviews recent international work in the area in order to assess the relative importance of systemic, organisational and individual factors in ensuring timely and effective LTA policies and practices.