Objective: The goal of this study was to identify the work environmental factors (paid benefits, job demands, flexibility, social support) that predict when women return to work after the diagnosis and treatment for breast cancer. Study Design: The sample for the study included 390 women, age 50 or less, recruited from five counties using Rapid Case Ascertainment of the Cancer Tumor Registry. Cross sectional data were used from a follow-up telephone survey administered from 12-15 months following diagnosis. Linear and logistic regression models were developed to estimate the predictors of women returning to work with the number of leave days as the dependent variable in the linear model and a categorical dependent variable in the logistic model. Explanatory variables included the job environment, illness and treatment characteristics and socio-demographic characteristics Findings: This sample of women was largely white, highly educated and employed in managerial, sales or technical occupations. Nearly 85% were employed at the time of diagnosis. At the time of the follow-up survey 77% had returned to their employment. Fifty-four percent of the variance was explained by greater physical job demands, taking paid disability leave, being white, having radiation, chemotherapy and breast reconstruction, a higher depression score, symptoms from chemotherapy and a lower functional status. Conclusions: Information about the work environment adds to the understanding of who returns to work and when they return. Health care providers should assess the job environment in considering when women return to work. Reasonable accommodation requirements of the ADA should be empirically addressed.
Learning Objectives: Participants will understand the importance of reasonable accommodations, as defined by the ADA, in enabling persons recovering from illness or experiencing chronic illness to return to work. Participants will identify important factors in the workplace that determine when persons with illness are able to return to work. Participants will recognize that less physically demanding jobs and flexibility in the work environment allow persons recovering from illness to return to work sooner
Keywords: Disability Policy, Worksite
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.