Work in Natural Environments for People with an Occupational Disability – the effect on Wellbeing and Sustainable Employability (In Dutch: Binnenwerk Buiten).

In the Netherlands, the labour participation of people with an occupational disability (PODs) is lagging behind. Despite several measures and policies (including the Dutch Job Agreement to create 125,000 adjusted jobs for this target group) labour participation has hardly increased for PODs. Health appears to be an important limiting factor for sustainable work participation. However, the interaction between work participation, wellbeing and SE is unclear for this target group. This is the focus of the current study that will be carried out at Binnenwerk and Staatsbosbeheer (Dutch Forestry Organisation) that collaborate to facilitate around 200 jobs in nature maintenance for PODs. Based on the theory of Salutogenesis and the Job Demands-Resources model, we will conduct a non- experimental longitudinal exploration of how health is affected by work participation in a green environment. The study applies a mixed methods design and a participatory approach and will be developed in co-creation with co-researchers with OD. First, all 400 Binnenwerk employees (working in and outside nature maintenance) participate in annual questionnaires. In addition, supervisors and job coaches provide observer ratings. To unravel the underlying mechanisms for potential effectiveness, a questionnaire amongst all Binnenwerk supervisors is administered and interviews and participatory observations are conducted at four focus sites in nature and one office site. Subsequently researchers and co-researchers, employees and stakeholders collectively learn and put knowledge into action in Participatory Action Research to support health promotion through work participation in a green environment and work participation for PODs in general.