Frühes Eingreifen bei psychischer Arbeitsunfähigkeit als ambivalente Strategie

In the face of the rising figures of work incapacity due to mental illness, social policy recommendations promote the strategy of early intervention. Intervening as early as possible is intended to prevent the deterioration of health and the loss of employment. However, the principle of early intervention lacks a clear definition. This article analyses the ways in which early intervention is practised in the occupational reintegration of employees with mental disorders, as well as the role that it plays in organisational strategies. Empirically, the article is based on a qualitative study in two insurance companies and one industrial company in Switzerland. The observed early intervention practices aim at promoting the acceptance of the limited capacity to perform that employees suffering from mental disorders have. However, the actors tend to neglect an examination of the organisational factors causing psychological strain. Early interventions support employees in conforming better to performance requirements, but are not directed towards the goal of an early elimination of health risks in the workplace.