Implemented disability-related policies and practices and sustained employment of partially disabled employees: evidence from linked survey and register data.

Objectives: This study examined the associations between implemented disability-related policies and practices (DPP) and sustained employment among partially disabled employees in The Netherlands.

Methods: Employer survey data on implemented DPP were linked to register data on employment outcomes of partially disabled employees (N=6103 employees from N=366 employers). DPP included six domains based on 48 elements: sick leave policy, occupational health and safety services (OHS), prevention policy, reintegration policy, reintegration practices within the current employer and reintegration practices towards another employer. DPP domains were standardized on a 0-1 scale. Separate logistic regression models were estimated for DDP domains on one-year sustained employment adjusted for employee characteristics, firm size, and sector.

Results: Almost all organizations implemented at least one element of DPP on prevention policy, OHS, sick leave policy, and reintegration practices within the current employer, and two-thirds on reintegration policy and reintegration practices towards another employer. Implemented DPP on prevention policy [odds ratio (OR) 2.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.3-4.0], OHS (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1-3.2), and sick leave policy (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.3) were positively associated with sustained employment. No significant results were found for reintegration policy and both reintegration practices domains. Stratified analysis showed that DDP domains were particularly associated with sustained employment in larger organizations and in the private sector.

Conclusions: Implemented DPP related to sick leave policy, OHS and prevention policy are associated with sustained employment among partially disabled employees, in particular in larger organizations and in the private sector.