Are assumptions in the Danish sickness benefit legislation supported by evidence?

Abstract

Over the past decade public policy programs for citizens on sickness benefits has been expanded and intensified. The legislation now demands that municipalities initiate active, early and interdisciplinary unemployment programs aimed at enabling sickness benefit receivers to (re) enter the labor market. But to what extent are these legislative assumptions supported by research evidence? In the article we address that question by identifying the program theory assumptions in the legislation and by reviewing current Danish and international literature on the subject. We still lack systematic empirical evidence on what works for whom in active employment interventions for people on sickness benefits, although there are indications that early and company-based interventions has positive effects on employment and return to work.