Work Disability Prevention Research Articles

Can chiropractors contribute to work disability prevention through sickness absence management for musculoskeletal disorders? - a comparative qualitative case study in the Scandinavian context

BackgroundDespite extensive publication of clinical guidelines on how to manage musculoskeletal pain and back pain in particular, these efforts have not significantly translated into decreases in work disability due to musculoskeletal pain. Previous studies have indicated a potential for better outcomes by formalized, early referral to allied healthcare providers familiar with occupational health issues. Instances where allied healthcare providers of comparable professional characteristics, but with differing practice parameters, can highlight important social and organisational strategies useful for informing policy and practice. Currently, Norwegian chiropractors have legislated sickness certification rights, whereas their Danish and Swedish counterparts do not. Against the backdrop of legislative variation, we described, compared and contrasted the views and experiences of Scandinavian chiropractors engaging in work disability prevention and sickness absence management.MethodsThis study was embedded in a two-phased, sequential exploratory mixed-methods design. In a comparative qualitative case study design, we explored the experience of chiropractors regarding sickness absence management drawn from face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. We subsequently coded and thematically restructured their experiences and perceptions.ResultsTwelve interviews were conducted. Thematically, chiropractors’ capacity to support patients in sickness absence management revolved around four key issues: issues of legislation and politics; the rationale for being a sickness absence management partner; whether an integrated sickness absence management pathway existed/could be created; and finally, the barriers to service provision for sickness absence management.ConclusionAllied health providers, in this instance chiropractors, with patient management expertise can fulfil a key role in sickness absence management and by extension work disability prevention when these practices are legislatively supported. In cases where these practices occur informally, however, practitioners face systemic-related issues and professional self-image challenges that tend to hamper them in fulfilling a more integrated role as providers of work disability prevention practices.

Efficacy of a Work Disability Prevention Program for People with Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Single-Blind Parallel-Arm Randomized Controlled Trial.

Work disability rates are high among people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. Effective disability preventive programs are needed. We examined the efficacy of a modified vocational rehabilitation approach delivered by trained occupational therapists and physical therapists on work limitation and work loss over 2 years among people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. Eligibility criteria for this single-blind, parallel-arm randomized trial included ages 21-65 years, 15 or more hours/week employment, a self-reported doctor-diagnosed rheumatic or musculoskeletal condition, and concern about staying employed. The intervention consisted of a 1.5-hour meeting, an action plan, written materials on employment supports, and telephone calls at 3 weeks and 3 months. Control group participants received the written materials. The primary outcome was the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) output job demand subscale. The secondary outcome was work loss. Intent-to-treat analyses were performed. Between October 2011 and January 2014, 652 individuals were assessed for eligibility. A total of 287 participants were randomized: 143 intervention and 144 control participants. In total, 264 participants (92%) completed 2-year data collection. There was no difference in the mean ± SD WLQ change scores from baseline to 2-year followup (-8.6 ± 1.9 intervention versus -8.3 ± 2.2 control; P = 0.93). Of the 36 participants who experienced permanent work loss at 2 years, 11 (8%) were intervention participants and 25 (18%) control participants (P = 0.03). The intervention did not have an effect on work limitations but reduced work loss. The intervention can be delivered by trained rehabilitation therapists.

Work Disability Prevention: A Primer for Occupational Therapists.

An estimated 313 million workplace accidents resulting in injury occur worldwide every year. Therefore, the burden of workplace injury and disability is present at the individual and the societal level and involves several stakeholders. There has been a shift in paradigm from workplace disability and injury treatment to workplace disability prevention. Occupational therapy practitioners are well positioned to address this multifaceted societal issue. Opening communication lines among stakeholders allows for a more holistic, collaborative, and comprehensive approach to disability, injury, and pain management. The positive results researchers have found at the individual level when using a holistic approach translate to benefits for all of the stakeholders involved. Occupational therapy practitioners may espouse a work disability prevention approach to reduce work disability rates and provide timely return-to-work outcomes for clients. The transition to the preventative model requires collaboration among stakeholders but would be beneficial to all stakeholders involved in the workplace.

Impact of improved recording of work-relatedness in primary care visits at occupational health services on sickness absences: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

BackgroundEmployment protects and fosters health. Occupational health services, particularly in Finland, have a central role in protecting employee health and preventing work ability problems. However, primary care within occupational health services is currently underused in informing preventive activities. This study was designed to assess whether the recording of work ability problems and improvement of follow-up of work-related primary care visits can reduce sickness absences and work disability pensions after 1 year.Methods/designA pragmatic trial will be conducted using patient electronic registers and registers of the central pensions agency in Finland. Twenty-two occupational health centres will be randomised to intervention and control groups. Intervention units will receive training to improve recording of work ability illnesses in the primary care setting and improved follow-up procedures. The intervention impact will be assessed through examining rates of sickness absence across intervention and control clinics as well as before and after the intervention.DiscussionThe trial will develop knowledge of the intervention potential of primary care for preventing work disability pensions and sickness absence. The use of routine patient registers and pensions registers to assess the outcomes of a randomised controlled trial will bring forward trial methodology, particularly when using register-based data. If successful, the intervention will improve the quality of occupational health care primary care and contribute to reducing work disability.Trial registrationISRCTN Registry reference number ISRCTN45728263. Registered on 18 April 2016.

Correlates of employment status in individuals with asthma: a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundThis study aims to elucidate factors that among adults with asthma are associated with working full-time.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey of 2613 working-age adults with asthma included questions on asthma history, symptoms and use of asthma medication, socioeconomic factors and health behavior. Full-time workers were compared to groups according to employment status: unemployed, work disability and retired due to age.ResultsAdults with asthma working full time were younger and more often nonmanual workers, experienced less asthma symptoms, used less asthma medication and smoked less than subjects with work disability. After adjusting for age, gender, smoking and professional status, having frequent symptoms of asthma during last month was associated with an increase in the risk of unemployment (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3–4.2) and with an increase in the risk of work disability (OR 4.4, 95% CI 2.3–8.2).ConclusionsAmong adults with asthma, full-time work was associated with younger age, less symptomatic asthma despite of less medication, nonmanual work and less smoking. Having more severe symptoms of asthma was associated with undesirable employment status such as unemployment or work disability. Possibilities to change from manual to nonmanual work may be important in preventing work disability and early exit from work.

Work Disability Prevention: an area of study needed to address the Colombian system challenges in occupational risks

This paper aims to address the importance of study, introduce and implement the issue of prevention and management of work disability in Colombia. Text structure responses to questions ranging from the current situation of workers and their health in Colombia, from the importance of studying this subject; the approach of the determinants of work disability; its definition, to the challenges settled for different actors in the Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Social involved in the process of prevention, care, rehabilitation, compensation, and return home.

Applying theories to better understand socio-political challenges in implementing evidence-based work disability prevention strategies

Purpose: This article explores and applies theories for analyzing socio-political aspects of implementation of work disability prevention (WDP) strategies.Method: For the analysis, theories from political science are explained and discussed in relation to case examples from three jurisdictions (Sweden, Brazil and Québec).Results: Implementation of WDP strategies may be studied through a conceptual framework that targets: (1) the institutional system in which policy-makers and other stakeholders reside; (2) the ambiguity and conflicts regarding what to do and how to do it; (3) the bounded rationality, path dependency and social systems of different stakeholders; and (4) coalitions formed by different stakeholders and power relations between them. In the case examples, the design of social insurance systems, the access to and infrastructure of healthcare systems, labor market policies, employers’ level of responsibility, the regulatory environment, and the general knowledge of WDP issues among stakeholders played different roles in the implementation of policies based on scientific evidence.Conclusions: Future research may involve participatory approaches focusing on building coalitions and communities of practice with policy-makers and stakeholders, in order to build trust, facilitate cooperation, and to better promote evidence utilization.Implications for RehabilitationImplementation of work disability prevention policies are subject to contextual influences from the socio-political setting and from relationships between stakeholdersStakeholders involved in implementing strategies are bound to act based on their interests and previous courses of actionTo promote research uptake on the policy level, stakeholders and researchers need to engage in collaboration and translational activitiesPolitical stakeholders at the government and community levels need to be more directly involved as partners in the production and utilization of evidence

Work Disability Prevention & Integration Conference (WDPI)

250 artsen, zorgprofessionals en onderzoekers uit de hele wereld kwamen van 25 t/m 28 september 2016 naar Amsterdam om het verzuimcongres Work Disability Prevention and Integration (WDPI) bij te wonen.

Predictors of Depression and Musculoskeletal Disorder Related Work Disability Among Young, Middle-Aged, and Aging Employees.

The aim of this study was to investigate the level and predictors of work disability in different age groups. We followed young (18 to 34 years), middle-aged (35 to 50 years), and aging (>50 years) employees (n = 70,417) for 7 years (2005 to 2011) for all-cause and cause-specific work disability (sickness absence and disability pension). Using negative binomial regression, we obtained both relative risk estimates and absolute rates, that is, days of work disability per person-year. The greatest relative difference in all-cause, and specifically depression-related work disability, was between young women and young men, and between employees with low versus high levels of education. Aging employees with a low education and chronic somatic disease had the highest levels of musculoskeletal disorder related work disability. The predictors of work disability vary by age and diagnosis. These results help target age-specific measures for the prevention of permanent work disability.

Erratum to: Workplace Outcomes in Work-Disability Prevention Research: A Review with Recommendations for Future Research.

Erratum to : Workplace Outcomes in Work-Disability Prevention Research: A Review with Recommendations for Future Research (J Occup Rehabil, (2016), 26, (434–447), 10.1007/s10926-016-9675-9)

Implementation Science and Employer Disability Practices: Embedding Implementation Factors in Research Designs.

Purpose For work disability research to have an impact on employer policies and practices it is important for such research to acknowledge and incorporate relevant aspects of the workplace. The goal of this article is to summarize recent theoretical and methodological advances in the field of Implementation Science, relate these to research of employer disability management practices, and recommend future research priorities. Methods The authors participated in a year-long collaboration culminating in an invited 3-day conference, “Improving Research of Employer Practices to Prevent Disability”, held October 14–16, 2015, in Hopkinton, MA, USA. The collaboration included a topical review of the literature, group conference calls to identify key areas and challenges, drafting of initial documents, review of industry publications, and a conference presentation that included feedback from peer researchers and a question/answer session with a special panel of knowledge experts with direct employer experience. Results A 4-phase implementation model including both outer and inner contexts was adopted as the most appropriate conceptual framework, and aligned well with the set of process evaluation factors described in both the work disability prevention literature and the grey literature. Innovative interventions involving disability risk screening and psychologically-based interventions have been slow to gain traction among employers and insurers. Research recommendations to address this are : (1) to assess organizational culture and readiness for change in addition to individual factors; (2) to conduct process evaluations alongside controlled trials; (3) to analyze decision-making factors among stakeholders; and (4 ) to solicit input from employers and insurers during early phases of study design. Conclusions Future research interventions involving workplace support and involvement to prevent disability may be more feasible for implementation if organizational decision-making factors are imbedded in research designs and interventions are developed to take account of these influences.

Workplace Outcomes in Work-Disability Prevention Research: A Review with Recommendations for Future Research.

Introduction Outcome assessment is a central issue in work disability prevention research. The goal of this paper was to (1) ascertain the most salient workplace outcomes; (2) evaluate the congruence between business and science perspectives; (3) illustrate new perspectives on assessing longitudinal outcomes; and (4) provide recommendations for advancing outcome evaluation in this area of research. Methods The authors participated in a year-long collaboration that culminated in a sponsored 3-day conference, “Improving Research of Employer Practices to Prevent Disability”, held October 14–16, 2015, in Hopkinton, MA, USA. The collaboration included a topical review of the literature, group conference calls to identify key areas and challenges, drafting of initial documents, review of industry publications, and a conference presentation that included feedback from peer researchers and a question/answer session with a special panel of knowledge experts with direct employer experience. Results Numerous workplace work-disability prevention outcome measures were identified. Analysis indicated that their applicability varied depending on the type of work disability the worker was experiencing. For those who were working, but with health-related work limitations (Type 1), predominant outcomes were measures of productivity, presenteeism, and work-related limitations. For those who were off work due to a health condition (Type 2), predominant outcomes were measures of time off work, supervisor/employee interactions, and return-to-work (RTW) preparation. For those who had returned to work (Type 3), predominant outcomes were measures of presenteeism, time until RTW, percentage of work resumption, employment characteristics, stigma, work engagement, co-worker interactions, and sustained or durable RTW. For those who had withdrawn from the labor force (Type 4), predominant outcomes were cost and vocational status. Discussion Currently available measures provide a good basis to use more consistent outcomes in disability prevention in the future. The research area would also benefit from more involvement of employers as stakeholders, and multilevel conceptualizations of disability outcomes.

New Business Structures Creating Organizational Opportunities and Challenges for Work Disability Prevention.

Purpose Flexible work arrangements are growing in order to develop resource-efficient production and because of advanced technologies, new societal values, changing demographics, and globalization. The article aims to illustrate the emerging challenges and opportunities for work disability prevention efforts among workers in alternate work arrangements. Methods The authors participated in a year-long collaboration that ultimately led to an invited 3-day conference, “Improving Research of Employer Practices to Prevent Disability,” held October 14–16, 2015, in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, USA. The collaboration included a topical review of the literature, group conference calls to identify key areas and challenges, drafting of initial documents, review of industry publications, and a conference presentation that included feedback from peer researchers and a roundtable discussion with experts having direct employer experience. Results Both worker and employer perspectives were considered, and four common alternate work arrangements were identified: (a) temporary and contingent employment; (b) small workplaces; (c) virtual work/telework; and (d) lone workers. There was sparse available research of return-to-work (RTW) and workplace disability management strategies with regard to alternate work patterns. Limited research findings and a review of the grey literature suggested that regulations and guidelines concerning disabled workers are often ambiguous, leading to unsatisfactory protection. At the workplace level, there was a lack of research evidence on how flexible work arrangements could be handled or leveraged to support RTW and prevent disability. Potential negative consequences of this lack of organizational guidance and information are higher costs for employers and insurers and feelings of job insecurity, lack of social support and integration, or work intensification for disabled workers. Conclusions Future studies of RTW and workplace disability prevention strategies should be designed to reflect the multiple work patterns that currently exist across many working populations, and in particular, flexible work arrangements should be explored in more detail as a possible mechanism for preventing disability. Labor laws and policies need to be developed to fit flexible work arrangements.

The quality of work life of registered nurses in Canada and the United States: a comprehensive literature review.

Workplace environment is related to the physical and psychological well-being, and quality of work life (QWL) for nurses. The aim of this paper was to perform a comprehensive literature review on nurses' quality of work life to identify a comprehensive set of QWL predictors for nurses employed in the United States and Canada. Using publications from 2004-2014, contributing factors to American and Canadian nurses' QWL were analyzed. The review was structured using the Work Disability Prevention Framework. Sixty-six articles were selected for analysis. Literature indicated that changes are required within the workplace and across the health care system to improve nurses' QWL. Areas for improvement to nurses' quality of work life included treatment of new nursing graduates, opportunities for continuing education, promotion of positive collegial relationships, stress-reduction programs, and increased financial compensation. This review's findings support the importance of QWL as an indicator of nurses' broader work-related experiences. A shift in health care systems across Canada and the United States is warranted where health care delivery and services are improved in conjunction with the health of the nurses working in the system.

Fibromyalgia onset has a high impact on work ability in Australians.

Although the disabling effects of fibromyalgia (FM) are well recognised, there are no published data regarding the impact of FM on work ability in Australians. The impact of the development of FM symptoms on ability to work in Australians was explored in a pilot survey project. Members of the Fibromyalgia Support Network of Western Australia were invited to undertake an anonymous online survey. Information was gathered regarding demographics, symptom onset, the timing of diagnosis, employment status and changes in the ability to work. Two hundred and eighty-seven responses were analysed. Of the respondents, 90.6% were female, with a mean age of 51.1 ± 10.6 years and had experienced symptoms between 2 and 20 years; 52.8% were diagnosed less than 5 years previously. Of the participants, 54.2% were working full time and 21.5% working part time at symptom onset; however, only 15.6% were currently working full time, with 44.8% not currently working at all. Because of FM, 24.3% stopped and 32.6% reduced paid work directly within 5 years of symptom development, with 15.3% ceasing and an additional 17.4% reducing work because of symptoms before diagnosis. Due to FM symptoms, 35.1% currently received financial support because they were unable to work. While 24.3% reported FM medication increased their ability to work, 20.8% reported it reduced their ability to work. A community pilot survey of Australians with FM indicates a high impact on work ability. This occurs from symptom onset and often before diagnosis. Early diagnosis and intervention may provide a window of opportunity to prevent work disability in FM.

How do general practitioners contribute to preventing long-term work disability of their patients suffering from depressive disorders? A qualitative study.

BackgroundDepression is a major cause of work absenteeism that general practitioners (GPs) face directly since they are responsible for sickness certification and for supervising the return to work (RTW). These activities give GPs a key role in preventing long-term work disability, yet their practices in this regard remain poorly documented. The objectives of this study were therefore to describe GPs’ practices with people experiencing work disability due to depressive disorders and explore how GPs’ work context may impact on their practices.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 13 GPs and six mental healthcare professionals in two sub-regions of Quebec. The sub-regions differed in terms of availability of specialized resources offering public mental health services. Data were anonymized and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was performed to identify patterns in the GPs’ practices and highlight impacting factors in their work context.ResultsOur results identified a set of practices common to all the GPs and other practices that differentiated them. Two profiles were defined on the basis of the various practices documented. The first is characterized by the integration of the RTW goal into the treatment goal right from sickness certification and by interventions that include the workplace, albeit indirectly. The second is characterized by a lack of early RTW-oriented action and by interventions that include little workplace involvement. Regardless of the practice profile, actions intended to improve collaboration with key stakeholders remain the exception. However, two characteristics of the work context appear to have an impact: the availability of a dedicated mental health nurse and the regular provision of clinical information by psychotherapists. These conditions are rarely present but tend to make a significant difference for the GPs.ConclusionsOur results highlight the significant role of GPs in the prevention of long-term work disability and their need for support through the organization of mental health services at the primary care level.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12875-016-0459-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effect of adalimumab on the work-related outcomes scores in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis receiving methotrexate.

To evaluate the effects of adalimumab plus MTX (ADA + MTX) vs MTX monotherapy on work-related outcomes in early RA patients with elevated risk of employment loss. A post hoc analysis at weeks 26 and 24 from the Optimal Protocol for Treatment Initiation with Methotrexate and Adalimumab (OPTIMA) and PRevention Of Work Disability (PROWD) trials, respectively, was conducted in MTX-naïve RA patients randomized to ADA + MTX or placebo (PBO) + MTX. Work instability was assessed using the RA-Work Instability Scale (RA-WIS) and work productivity was measured with the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire. Employed patients with a baseline RA-WIS score ⩾10, indicating medium to high risk for job loss, were included (OPTIMA, n = 320; PROWD, n = 124). Patients receiving ADA + MTX in OPTIMA had significantly greater improvements in RA-WIS compared with PBO + MTX (mean change -7.22 vs -5.23, respectively). Significantly higher percentages of patients in the ADA + MTX group experienced improvements in one or more risk category (58 vs 47%) and ⩾5 (55 vs 43%), ⩾7 (47 vs 35%) and ⩾9 (42% vs 26%) points in their RA-WIS score. These trends were seen in PROWD but were not significant. In OPTIMA, patients receiving ADA + MTX showed significant changes in percentage points from baseline vs PBO + MTX in activity impairment, presenteeism and overall work impairment (-32.0 vs -23.7, -24.6 vs -17.1, -27.3 vs -18.3, respectively). Among early RA patients with elevated risk of employment loss, ADA + MTX therapy was associated with a significant reduction in work instability vs PBO + MTX. Significantly greater percentages of patients receiving ADA + MTX therapy achieved clinically meaningful improvements in their RA-WIS scores.

Predictors of return to work following motor vehicle related orthopaedic trauma.

BackgroundWork disability following motor vehicle related orthopaedic trauma is a significant contributor to the burden of injury and disease. Early identification of predictors for return to work (RTW) is essential for developing effective interventions to prevent work disability. The study aim was to determine the predictors (including compensation related factors) of time to RTW following motor vehicle related orthopaedic trauma.MethodsAdmitted patients were recruited prospectively from two trauma hospitals with upper and/or lower extremity fractures following a motor vehicle crash. Baseline and follow up data were collected by written questionnaire. For baseline, this occurred in person within 2 weeks of injury. For follow up, this occurred by mail at six, 12 and 24 months. Additional demographic and injury-related information was retrieved from hospital databases. Analysis involved: descriptive statistics; logrank test to detect survival distributions of categorical variables; and Cox proportional hazards regression models for risks of time to RTW using baseline characteristic and compensation related variables (at 6 months).ResultsOf 452 study participants 334 (74 %) were working pre-injury: results are based on this subset. Baseline characteristics were mean age 36 years (13.9 Standard Deviation [SD]), 80 % male; 72 % self-assessed very good-excellent pre-injury health, 83 % household income > AU$40,000 (Australian Dollar). Follow up data was available for 233 (70 %), 210 (63 %), and 182 (54 %) participants at six, 12 and 24 months respectively.Significant risks of a longer time to RTW were greater injury severity, as measured by the New Injury Severity Score (NISS) (Hazards Rate Ratio [HRR] = 0.54, 95 % CI 0.35-0.82); and lower occupational skill levels (HRR = 0.53, 95 % CI 0.34-0.83). Significant risks of a shorter time to RTW were: recovery expectations for usual activities within 90 days (HRR = 2.10, 95 % CI 1.49-2.95); full-time pre-injury work hours (HRR = 1.99, 95 % CI 1.26-3.14); and very good self-assessed pre-injury health status (HRR = 1.41, 95 % CI 0.98-2.02). Legal representation (analysed at six months only) was not associated with time to RTW. At each time period, there were 146 (63 %), 149 (71 %), and 137 (76 %) working participants.ConclusionsA longer time to RTW was associated with greater injury severity and lower occupational skill levels; while a shorter time to RTW was associated with recovery expectations for usual activities within 90 days, full-time pre-injury work hours, and very good self-assessed pre-injury health status. Our findings reinforce existing research. There is an opportunity to trial interventions that address potentially modifiable factors. The issues surrounding legal representation are complex and require further research.

Physical Activity and Exercise Interventions in the Workplace Impacting Work Outcomes: A Stakeholder-Centered Best Evidence Synthesis of Systematic Reviews.

Background:The prevention of work disability is beneficial to employees and employers, and mitigates unnecessary societal costs associated with social welfare. Many service providers and employers have initiated workplace interventions designed to reduce unnecessary work disability.Objective:To conduct a best-evidence synthesis of systematic reviews on workplace interventions that address physical activities or exercise and their impact on workplace absence, work productivity or financial outcomes.Methods:Using a participatory research approach, academics and stakeholders identified inclusion and exclusion criteria, built an abstraction table, evaluated systematic review quality and relevance, and interpreted the combined findings. A minimum of two scientists participated in a methodological review of the literature followed by a consensus process.Results:Stakeholders and researchers participated as a collaborative team. 3363 unique records were identified, 115 full text articles and 46 systematic reviews were included, 18 assessed the impact of physical fitness or exercise interventions. 11 focused on general workers rather than workers who were absent from work at baseline; 16 of the reviews assessed work absence, 4 assessed productivity and 6 assessed financial impacts. Conclusion:The strongest evidence supports the use of short, simple exercise or fitness programs for both workers at work and those absent from work at baseline. For workers at work, simple exercise programs (1–2 modal components) appear to provide similar benefits to those using more complex multimodal interventions. For workers off-work with subacute low back pain, there is evidence that some complex exercise programs may be more effective than simple exercise interventions, especially if they involve workplace stakeholder engagement, communication and coordination with employers and other stakeholders. The development and utilization of standardized definitions, methods and measures and blinded evaluation would improve research quality and strengthen stakeholder-centered guidance.

Supervisor and Organizational Factors Associated with Supervisor Support of Job Accommodations for Low Back Injured Workers.

Purpose Temporary job accommodations contribute to the prevention of chronic work disability due to low back pain (LBP) through the facilitation of early return to work; yet, workplace dimensions of job accommodation are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine supervisor and organizational factors associated with supervisors' support for temporary job accommodations for LBP injured workers. Methods Supervisors were recruited from 19 workplaces in the USA and Canada and completed an online survey regarding job accommodation practices and potential associated factors with respect to a case vignette of a worker with LBP. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify the most parsimonious set of factors associated with supervisors' support for accommodations. Results A total of 804 supervisors participated with 796 eligible for inclusion in the analysis. The final set of factors explained 21% of the variance in supervisors' support for temporary job accommodations. Considerate leadership style (β=0.261; 95% CI 0.212, 0.310), workplace disability management policies and practices (β=0.243; 95% CI 0.188, 0.298), and supervisor autonomy for designing and providing workplace accommodations (β=0.156; 95% CI 0.071, 0.241) had the largest effect on supervisor support for accommodations. Conclusion Factors predicting supervisors' likelihood to accommodate LBP injured workers include use of considerate leadership style, workplace disability management policies and practices, and supervisor autonomy. Workplace interventions targeting these factors should be developed and evaluated for their ability to improve work disability prevention outcomes.