Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 March 2020
Forty-nine injured workers were selected from a study population of 3,041 injured workers using a critical case sampling technique, to explore characteristics of workplaces and worker perceptions and attributions related to return to work status following workplace injury. The only significant differences between those who returned and those who did not return to work were satisfaction with pre-injury pay and provision of training in occupational health and safety procedures. From the in-depth structured interviews of 49 injured workers, 5 workers who failed to return to work were selected for detailed case study to further explicate the factors which contributed to unsuccessful rehabilitation. Worker characteristics, the timing and meaning of the injury to individual workers, and conflicting and unstated agendas in the occupational rehabilitation process, were all identified as critical factors which impact on return to work outcomes.