Conceptualizing responsible return to work: CSR in relation to employee return to work after cancer

Research in social issues in management sees employees as primary stakeholders of organizations, and an extensive body of research has shown that CSR directed towards employees is beneficial for both employees and organizations. Demographic change, the increasing sophistication of medical technologies and treatments, and evolving patterns of health care provision and social security have all contributed to a significant increase in the incidence of seriously and chronically ill employees within the workforce. In light of the epidemic in serious and chronic illness within the contemporary workplace, in this study we build upon research in CSR and return to work (RTW) to conceptualize responsible return to work. We build on research on firm’s social responsibilities to explore the legal, economic, moral, and discretionary dimensions to firms’ responsibilities in relation to employees’ that are returning to work. We draw upon on unique qualitative data in the form of first-hand accounts of Australian women who have survived breast cancer to inductively theorize about the influences on responsible return to work practices.