Individual Development Plans and sustainable employability in sheltered workplaces: from the perspective of sheltered workers

Abstract

Introduction: Sustainable employability is an important topic in all workplaces, including sheltered workplaces. Individual Development Plans (IDPs) have been introduced to increase the sustainable employability of sheltered workers. To date, how IDPs contribute to sustainable employability in this population of sheltered workers is ill understood. This is the first study to explore how IDPs contribute to sustainable employability practices in sheltered workplaces, from the perspective of sheltered workers. Methods: Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with sheltered workers about concepts relevant to IDP literature, sustainable employability, the Capability Approach (CA) and the Self-determination theory (SDT). Data were analyzed using thematic content analyses. Results: Findings show that many IDPs mainly focus on the productivity of the sheltered worker, while sheltered workers prefer to discuss aspects of valuable work, health and long-term perspective as well, to achieve sustainable employability. Discussion: A strength of this study is that it uses an interdisciplinairy approach by discussing the findings using the SDT and CA. Conclusion: The increased neoliberal values of the Dutch welfare state may negatively influence the contribution of IDPs to the sustainable employability practices of sheltered workplaces.