Institute for Research on Labor and Employment

This qualitative social research project examined experiences and insights about medical practices, employer policies, and workers' compensation claims programs that can help injured workers return to long-term, sustained employment. Data were collected through focus groups of injured workers, insurance claims administrators, labor union representatives, management representatives, and health care providers.

This report was published by the Work & Health Initiative (WHI). WHI was established to improve the health and wellbeing of California workers and their families and was sponsored by the Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (COEH) in northern California. COEH, which is based at the Berkeley, San Francisco, and Davis campuses of the University of California, conducts research, multi-disciplinary graduate-level training, professional continuing education, and community service, including training workshops, conferences, educational materials, clinical services, and assistance with specific problems. The Work & Health Initiative worked in close collaboration with the Labor Occupational Health Program, a community outreach program of COEH.