Work,Health and Wellbeing: The Challenges of Managing Health at Work,by Vickerstaff,S.,Phillipson,C.,& Wilkie,R. (Eds.)

Reviewed by: Jean E. Wallace, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada DOI: 10.1177/0730888413506535

This edited collection presents the contributions of a group of multidisciplinary researchers and practitioners belonging to the Cross Research Council Life-Long Health and Wellbeing Initiative in the United Kingdom who examine various aspects of work, health, and well-being. In response to the idea that people will live longer and work longer, more people are expected to be coping with significant chronic health conditions. The two health conditions that are the focus of this volume are mental health issues and musculoskeletal disorders. The authors propose a biopsychosocial approach to understanding the factors that encourage or inhibit individuals to continue working, which reflects “an individual-centered model that considers the person, their health problem, and their social context” (p. 14).

The 12 chapters are organized into three themes: the contemporary context and interest in work and well-being issues, the developing policy context, and the factors that encourage or inhibit individuals from continuing to work when they have health issues. These core themes are addressed using a variety of approaches to understand the challenges of managing health at work. The chapters include reviews of the literature, discussions of relevant concepts and measures, overviews of current services and interventions, and documentation of trends over time, as well as qualitative case studies of programs and individuals’ lived experiences accessing health services and interventions. The chapters offer a range of perspectives from academics, clinicians, and policy makers.

The volume begins by setting the stage for the contemporary context by examining the predominant reasons for lost workdays and incapacity to work: musculoskeletal disorders and common mental health problems. It then turns to how health and wealth are factors related to employment after the age of 65 years by comparing statistical trends of the United States and England. The important question of what health measures are suitable for examining the impact of health on employment is discussed. Measurement is also relevant in examining definitions of disability, where the meaning and measurement of work-limiting disability are introduced to replace the concept of disability. Vocational rehabilitation is explored as a strategy to improve the management of health at work.

Incapacity benefit recipients are examined in depth, particularly as they are considered to be a major driver for public policy development in the areas of health, work, and well-being in the United Kingdom. While there have persistently been a high number of claimants, it is unclear whether newer cohorts have the same profiles as older ones. A better understanding of who makes up these claimants may yield more effective policies in response. The effectiveness of current interventions to support the return to work of long-term recipients of incapacity benefits is also examined.

Several chapters are devoted to shifting the focus from work stress and disability to well-being and work ability. A number of different dimensions of the employee experience in the context of the workplace are examined in terms of how employees may self-manage their health conditions and how their employing organization may facilitate this, how managing organizational change is important to promoting employee health and well-being, and how employees and employers may extend the working life of employees.

The editors conclude by proposing five major areas for future research that are identified throughout the volume. These include (a) better understanding the significance of different types of organizational contexts for considering issues related to health and well-being, (b) identifying ways in which the work environment may be improved in order to reduce stress and disability, (c) identifying effective interventions by documenting what works best for whom and for what type of health condition, (d) identifying how users themselves experience and view different support services designed to reduce health and work problems, and (e) promoting and establishing effective multidisciplinary collaborations and centers to maximize the translation of research findings into policy and practice. These issues are not only relevant to British researchers, clinicians, and policy makers but are also generalizable to other countries.

This volume provides diverse and interesting coverage of a wide range of topics related to work, health, and well-being and the challenges of managing health at work in the United Kingdom. The volume can be somewhat challenging in places, however, for readers who are unfamiliar with British health and employment programs and policies.