Coaching Recipients of Sickness Benefits

From spring 2008 to spring 2009 SFI conducted a pilot survey on coaching. The survey was designed as a randomised trial and comprised 42 female recipients of sickness benefits from Jobcentre Rødovre. These people were on sick leave due to mental disorders such as stress, depression or burn-out; or else they were suffering from musculo-skeletal disorders. The survey was commissioned and financed by Jobcentre Rødovre.
The report examines whether coaching can help recipients of sickness benefits into employment or bring them closer to the labour market, measured by whether, for example, participants are increasingly motivated, more confident, have greater clarity, or fewer symptoms.
The survey shows that the group which received coaching are experiencing positive developments in relation to stress, depression and burn-out.
Although the group that received coaching are experiencing the most obvious positive developments, both those receiving coaching and those not receiving coaching have experienced progress in health in the period. This suggests that time itself helps recipients of sickness benefits to feel better and gradually move closer to being able to work again.