Disability and Work Flashcards
What is an impairment?
cognitive or physical difference (no negative connotation or limitation)
on its own not a disability nor cause disability
What is a disability?
condition of being unable to perform a task or function as a consequence of physical or mental impairment
social conditions of workplace make impairment into a disability due to inaccessibility
What is disability management?
employer practices to prevent workplace disability and assist workers in recovering normal function as quickly and as much as possible
What are the steps of disability management?
prevention (ex employee assistance and wellness programs)
accommodation (modifications to accommodate disabled workers)
recovery (temp or long term benefit programs and return to work aid)
What is the duty to accommodate?
human rights legislation, employers must make changes to accommodate workplace up to point of undue hardship
broad to prevent discrimination during hiring process
worker required to inform employer (usually with proof)
what is undue hardship?
financial instability for employers, interferes with requirements of the job, poses a health/safety risk
What are forms disability prevention?
employee assistance programs: focus on mental health and counselling, focus on workload and stress management rather than cause in workplace (prevention not modification)
What is a wellness program?
focus on specific issues (quitting smoking, weight loss, stress management) and can include benefits or perks (flexible schedules, compressed work weeks)
what are the criticisms of wellness programs?
focus on worker behaviour rather than root cause
coping rather than eliminating
what is modified work?
employer makes modification of workers duties
required for period of time when returning to work and cannot be a demotion
What are workplace modifications?
Employers may modify workplace, tools, or equipment
can also be modification to policy or schedules
What does sick leave entail?
job protection for the length, short and long term sickness and disability leave, varies widely across country and workplace
What are disability insurance programs?
benefits of being off work, workers comp (90% income, no cap), can involved private employer provided version (rare)
What is return to work?
modified work arrangements
critiques of workplace reintegration (early is cost-cutting and prevents full recovery)
What is the disability trap?
paradox that promotions to reintegrate work disabled people end up trapping them between work and benefits
connected to labour market activation and moral hazard theory
