PURPOSE: There is a lack of knowledge about reemployment for long-term sick-listed employees when returning to a previous job is not feasible. This study aims to understand the mechanisms and contextual factors that facilitate or hinder return to work with a new employer (RTW-NE) for sick-listed employees. METHODS: We conducted a realist review of peer-reviewed studies and gray literature from six databases. Data were extracted and synthesized to identify factors and to create context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations to develop an explanatory framework, based on the Integrated Behavior Model and Stages of Change. RESULTS: 1,584 records were identified, 28 records met the inclusion criteria and methodological rigor. 12 CMO configurations were divided into seven themes explaining the RTW-NE trajectory and are presented in an integrated model explaining the RTW-NE trajectory. CONCLUSION: An RTW-NE trajectory seems to take more time than a regular RTW trajectory due to various contextual factors such as concurrent life events and false RTW expectations. The motivation for deciding to take the RTW-NE trajectory requires acceptance: closing one door and opening another. The employee's self-efficacy, mental preparation, practical preparation and skill development seem interdependent and thus increasing self-efficacy and skills seems a continuous cyclic process.
Klerkx et al. (Mon,) studied this question.