April 2021

How much does depression set Canadian workers back in earnings?

Does depression hurt the earning potential of affected workers in Canada and, if so, how much? That was what Institute for Work & Health (IWH) Research Associate Kathleen Dobson set out to find. Using an innovative technique, she calculated the average drop in workers’ earnings in the first year after workers experienced a depressive episode—and how much ground they continued to lose over 10 years.

Read about the study

Nine trends in the future of work that may impact vulnerable workers

In the next two decades, the world of work will look very different than it does today. Major forces are driving change: digital technologies, artificial intelligence, climate change, demographic shifts, and more. What does the future hold for people who already face barriers in the labour market? An IWH team led by Scientist Dr. Arif Jetha lays out nine trends and what they may mean.

Read the full report

Read a summary

Upcoming webinar explores the harmful effects of physical labour on heart health

Ever thought that doing physical labour at work means you can skip regular workouts? Far from it. In an IWH Speaker Series webinar on May 11, Associate Scientist Dr. Avi Biswas explains what’s called the “physical activity paradox.” He discusses emerging research showing how some forms of physical activity at work actually raise the risk of cardiovascular and other health conditions, including diabetes.

Find out more and sign up

IWH announces Mustard post-doctoral fellowship recipient

The Institute has awarded the 2021 Mustard Fellowship in Work and Health to Reena Shadaan, who will finish up her PhD in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change at York University this spring. Shadaan’s doctoral dissertation concerns nail technicians’ occupational health, including their exposure-related hazards, musculoskeletal concerns and stress-induced health outcomes. At the Institute, Shadaan will continue to focus on the health and safety of vulnerable newcomer women in nail salons and beauty clinics.

Find out more

CRE-MSD offers resources to address MSD risks caused by overhead work

Overhead work is a known musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) risk, strongly related to the development of shoulder injuries. Find out how to reduce risks with new resources available on the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders (CRE-MSD) and MSD Prevention Guideline websites. Resources include an infographic, an animated video and a position paper on factors that can be modified to decrease MSD risk linked to overhead work.

See the MSD Prevention Guideline

Take time on April 28 to mark Day of Mourning

Every year, on April 28, we mark the Day of Mourning to remember people who are hurt or killed on the job. And this year again, it is an opportunity to pay tribute to essential workers who continue to provide the health care, goods and services we depend on, and to mourn those who have lost their lives or health to COVID-19 in the course of doing so. Let’s all take a moment on the day to resolve to do what we can to ensure the health and safety of all workers.

Find out more

Uyen Vu
Senior Communications Associate
613-979-7742
uvu@iwh.on.ca