Capturing the Perspectives of “Laypeople” on Policy Effectiveness: Employers’ and Precariously Employed Workers’ Suggested Improvements for the Workers’ Compensation System and Work Injury Processes

PurposePrecarious employment rates are rising, which challenges the effectiveness of current workers’ compensation systems. Precariously employed workers encounter problems related to short-term and/or temporary employment, and complicated employment relationships. Few voices are captured in the literature from precariously employed workers and employers of these workers regarding day-to-day experience of workers’ compensation policies. This article describes employers’ and precariously employed workers’ suggested changes and improvements to a workers’ compensation system and other processes related to work injury and return-to-work.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted in Ontario, Canada with 36 precariously employed workers and 15 employers of precariously employed workers who were recruited via social media, email lists, cold calling, word-of-mouth, and the “snowball” method. Thematic code summaries were analyzed to identify suggested workers’ compensation system improvements that relate to precarious employment.ResultsEmployers’ and precariously employed workers’ suggestions fell into the categories of (1) communication, (2) worker health and healthcare, and (3) worker and employer support.ConclusionIdentifying precariously employed workers and employers of precariously employed workers’ suggestions enables a better understanding of areas of improvement for workers’ compensation policy and how these policy changes could affect these interested parties with regards to managing workplace rehabilitation and disability.