arbejdsevne

Arbejdsevne refers to a person’s capacity to perform work tasks at a level that matches the requirements of their job, taking into account health, physical and cognitive abilities, skills, and the surrounding work environment. It is a dynamic concept, shaped by health status, treatment and rehabilitation, education and training, motivation, and opportunities for accommodations or task adjustments. Because job demands vary widely, two people with similar health conditions can have different work capacities depending on their specific tasks and workplace supports.

Assessment of arbejdsevne typically involves input from health professionals, employers, and the individual. Methods include self-assessment, medical documentation, and sometimes functional capacity evaluations. Some systems use standardized tools, such as work ability indices or other structured evaluations, to estimate how well a person can meet current or future job demands. Limitations exist, as capacity can change over time and is influenced by both medical factors and non-medical factors like workplace design and social support.

In practice, arbejdsevne informs decisions in sickness absence, rehabilitation, and disability benefits, as well as return-to-work planning and workplace accommodations. Employers and public authorities may use assessments to tailor tasks, modify routines, provide training, or facilitate gradual re-entry into work. Policy approaches in many Nordic and European contexts emphasize maintaining or restoring work ability as a route to active participation in the labor market, while recognizing the need for individualized assessments and safeguards against stigmatization.