Social security policy changes in 2013 had a positive impact on work participation for people with reduced work capacity: A regional Danish cohort study

BACKGROUND: In Denmark, people with permanent and significantly reduced work capacity can be assigned to a flexi-job (FJ) scheme. In 2013, the social security policy for FJ was reformed to improve employment possibilities for people with reduced work capacity. OBJECTIVE: To describe work participation in the FJ scheme before and after the reform in the North Denmark Region. METHODS: The study population was assigned to the FJ scheme between 2010 and 2015 and followed for two years. Work participation score (WPS) was defined as the number of working weeks divided by the total number of weeks in the FJ scheme. High WPS was defined as above the median. RESULTS: A total of 4,668 people were included in the study. High WPS was significantly influenced by enrolment after policy changes (odds ratio (OR)) 1.60, 95% CI 1.41–1.81), male sex (OR 1.20, CI 1.06–1.36), age above 50 (OR 0.72, CI 0.58–0.90), peripheral living (OR 0.75, CI 0.63–0.90), contact to both somatic and psychiatric healthcare (OR 0.55, CI 0.43–0.71) and a prior strong association to the labour market (OR 5.70, CI 4.40–7.37). CONCLUSIONS: Policy changes increased work participation in the FJ scheme.