Return to work in small enterprises

The purpose of this study was to understand and identify possible areas of improvement for the return-to-work process in small enterprises. The study used a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 small enterprises in Sweden. The employers in the enterprise have made efforts to adapt the workplace for employees on sick leave. However, there was no set procedure for handling contacts between the employer and employee during periods of sick leave and employers indicated that they were unsure how to cooperate with the Swedish Social Insurance Agency in the return-to-work process. An area for improvement is extended professional competence and support in the return-to-work process in order to identify possibilities to enable adaption of the workplace and facilitate return to work. The occupational health service have or should have the knowledge required and could play an active role in improvement of the return-to-work process.