SCENARIO
This research project aims to investigate and put forward strategies and measures to improve the existing regulatory tools to provide new opportunities for the social inclusion and the return to work of people undergoing transplantation or suffering from chronic diseases. After the illness and recovery period, their return to active life might still be characterized by poor health conditions.
Today more than ever, returning to work or performing more suitable tasks as a result of one’s health conditions are a major challenge for the labour market and the welfare system. The social and occupational inclusion of these people is extremely relevant and might impact their personal, relational, social and economic life, as well that of their family members. The sustainability of the social security system is also put to test due to the issues arising from people’s longer working lives and the cost of welfare benefits.
Through the analysis of the current regulatory framework, it will be possible to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the measures laid down by national lawmakers so far, to ensure that workers undergoing transplantation and those affected by chronic diseases stay on at work. This investigation will make it possible to advance reform proposals to promote the effectiveness of inclusion policies and the resources invested.
To this end, this research project will not only focus on the legal rules and the institutional pathways to return to work. Rather – and drawing from recent international scholarly work – this study will also analyze the role of industrial relations and collective bargaining in ensuring proper conditions for the return to work to perform the same tasks or completely new assignments.
Collecting and analysing collective agreements and contractual schemes entered into at sectoral, local and company level will help to identify general trends and the best practices that can be disseminated and perhaps replicated in other working contexts.
Finally, considering the organisational consequences of managing the integration or reintegration process of people with serious health conditions, this research will develop an in-depth study on the professionals who manage these complicated transitions in companies and organisations. The goal is to identify paths in legal or collective bargaining or technical standards for the definition of experts and for the recognition and development of the skills needed to carry out the inclusion process.