Better at work: activation of partially disabled workers in the Netherlands

Abstract

This article presents a unique analysis of how activation agen-cies in the Netherlands cope with partially disabled employeeson the basis of tailor-made individual assessments, representingand executing the shift towards a policy paradigm in activationto work–a synchronic instead of diachronic approach to disabilityand employability. We focus on two aspects of the administrativeprocess of implementing the new policy: transparency and condi-tionality. Questions are: do individualised, customised assessmentsof disability benefits, in contrast to standardised ones, contribute totransparency in assessing partly disabled employees, and how dothese workers experience and cope with the conditionality of thebenefits? The experienced reality of the targeted partially disabledworkers is elaborated upon to understand the implementation ofan individualised system. We conclude that the gap between socialpolicy and its implementation needs reconsideration.