The how and why of workplace adjustments: contextualizing the evidence.

Purpose: To identify the problems experienced in the workplace by service users returning to work and to explore how and why adjustments can help overcome them.

Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 17 people in five employment projects and with their workplace managers. Interviews were tape recorded, fully transcribed and analyzed to identify and compare emerging themes.

Results: Problems experienced by individuals included low energy and stamina levels, lack of confidence and psychological barriers to particular types of work. Adjustments to working hours, work schedules and job tasks proved crucial for some people in enabling them to overcome these problems.