Understanding occupational therapy in the workplace

What occupational therapists do

Occupational therapists consider engagement in occupations as essential to people's lives, bringing meaning, purpose and structure.

They view people as occupational beings - intrinsically active and creative, with a desire to engage in a balanced range of meaningful occupations that support their health and wellbeing. These may include personal care, leisure pursuits and vocations.

Their goal is to support people to fulfil, or work towards fulfilling, their potential as occupational beings. They support individuals of all ages to overcome any barriers to their meaningful occupations.

Occupational therapy in the workplace 

'Occupational therapy was founded upon principles related to the benefits of work and supporting people with health conditions to gain or return to paid employment.' (RCOT 2019).

Work can be an essential occupation for many people, safeguarding their health and wellbeing. Therefore, occupational therapists support people to remain in, return to, or obtain work. Each person is different, so occupational therapists work in a client-centred way.

Occupational therapists have the expertise to enable people to work by:

• Providing detailed assessments of individual capacity and workplace requirements.
• Teaching strategies to manage ongoing conditions and related symptoms such as pain and fatigue.
• Delivering rehabilitation based on agreed goals with both the employee and employer.
• Advising on reasonable adjustments.

This may involve:

• Undertaking a detailed assessment of the person’s abilities and limitations and listening to their employment aspirations and challenges.
• Undertaking detailed analysis of the work requirements and work environment, including an ergonomic assessment.
• Agreeing work goals with the person.
• Educating and liaising with employers and colleagues as appropriate.
• Supporting the person to manage any ongoing condition(s) and related symptoms, including teaching adaptative techniques and strategies to overcome challenges that impact on work.
• Providing rehabilitation themselves, or referring to another healthcare professional, to address agreed goals and support the individual's ability to work.
• Advising on any recommended reasonable workplace adjustments.

Reasonable adjustments 

Part of an occupational therapist’s role is to explore any reasonable adjustments that can be made to occupations, ensuring they are achievable for a person with limitations.  

This may involve supporting people to manage their health conditions and disabilities within the context of their living, work and social environments.  

Examples of how an occupational therapist can support reasonable work adjustments include:  

• Environmental adaptations - installing rails, ramps or adjustable workstations for employees with musculoskeletal limitations.
• Work‑pattern adjustments - pacing activities across the day and scheduling rest periods for individuals with fatigue who need to conserve energy.
• Education on ergonomics and task pacing - correct positioning, regular breaks and varied duties for individuals living with chronic pain.
• Self‑management strategies for ADHD - using assistive technology, structured routines, environmental modifications and guidance on seeking support from colleagues and employers.
• Empowerment to request changes - helping employees discuss their individual needs with an employer when managing conditions like endometriosis, such as regular breaks or modified workloads.
• Guidance for employers on legal responsibilities - assisting employers to implement reasonable adjustments in line with the Equality Act (2010) and the Disability Discrimination Act (Northern Ireland).
• Supporting occupational balance - helping individuals experiencing stress, anxiety or depression re-establish a healthy balance between work, rest and leisure.