Disabilities that are not visible to other people (eg, fatigue, cognitive problems)

Others (ie, colleagues, employer) thinking that the patient is making up the problems

Feeling a fraud when having invisible problems, or problems that the patient sees as relatively ‘minor’ (and therefore apprehension in sharing problems with others at the workplace)

Having had a stroke at the workplace (increased visibility, and as a result patients’ experience of support and understanding at the workplace)

Looking normal, not feeling or being normal (leading to a lack of understanding of a person's difficulties)

Acting normal (others not being aware of difficulties, and in some cases being more tired by trying to ‘keep up’)

Wanting to be normal and return to work, work acting as a motivator to recovery

Not wanting to share stroke-related difficulties with others at work (resulting in less understanding of the patients’ difficulties)

Embarrassment regarding sharing problems with other people

Talking with employer about difficulties, and the adjustments that are needed

A lack of understanding of stroke and stroke-related problems, or the timeframe of recovery (by patients and employers)

GPs lack of understanding of the patients’ problems

(Improvement of) employers’ understanding of stroke and stroke-related problems

Patients’ understanding of problems and their ability to cope with them (table 2.)

Returning to work too soon, or taking on too much at work

Lack of self-awareness, returning against the advice of others, or underestimating own disabilities, (ie, being unaware of making mistakes)

Being back at work is more difficult than anticipated

Problems getting worse after returning to work

Overestimation of own disabilities, or potential difficulties related to work

The anticipation of difficulties at work, and making appropriate arrangements related to this (ie, coping by the patient, as well as strategies in the workplace)

Pushing oneself (ie, not accepting a changed identity, and that one cannot function like before TIA/stroke)

Accepting that one cannot function like before TIA/stroke, needs more rest, has to listen to his our her body

Priorities changed, and re-labelling of one's identity (ie, work now seen as less important)

Problems with following the right steps towards making adjustments (eg, not talking to Occupational Health)

Range of strategies incorporated: Adjustments to the workplace, gradual return, reduced hours or duties, taking time, working at home, going home if tired

Occupational Health appointment

Changed the job for a job that was manageable

Union involvement (to keep a job)

Employer expecting a return to work

Patient following the appropriate steps at work (Occupational Health, HR)

Lack of support and at work, by the employer or by colleagues (patient not feeling understood, and in some cases resulting in job loss)

Having a supportive and patient employer, having supporting colleagues

Supportive family and friends

Advice and support from others with stroke (ie, the Talkstroke Online forum, stroke club)

Being bullied at work by employer/manager or colleagues

Coping with comments and jokes made by others (ie, ignoring them, or using humour)

Having to work because of money issues

Not entitled to benefits or retirement (eg, consultant not signing the form)

Signing not fit to work

GP not willing to extend sick leave (despite patient having various problems)

Not prescribing antidepressants

Signing fit to work

Leaving it up to the patient to decide what is best

Encouraging gradual return to work

Being empathetic

Fatigue

Psychological problems

Memory or cognitive problems

Physical problems

Language or speaking problems

Problems specific to the job, or increased by returning to the job

Making mistakes

Insomnia

Not functioning like before

Subsequent stroke, or new disabilities

Coping with difficulties, listening to own body (see table 2)

Using antidepressants if needed

Improvement over time

Improvement of general recovery by medical interventions, physiotherapy, medication

Not being able to drive, commute to work

Needing to sleep in afternoon (eg, therefore not being able to work full-time)

Difficulties in applying for a job (the actual application process)

Getting ready in the morning taking a long time

Work itself increasing problems

Medication side effects interfering with work

Supportive colleagues helping out with commute, employer subsidising transportation to work

Various coping strategies (see table 2)

Having a pet improves general mood, and ability to deal with job

Stress (also augmenting stroke-related impairments)

Negative views regarding work

Fear a stroke may happen again at work

Negative feelings: lack of confidence (to be able to perform at work), feeling vulnerable at work, loneliness

Reducing stress levels (eg, by changing jobs)

Enjoying being back at work, enjoying talking with friends/colleagues