Plain-language summaries

Institute for Work & Health (IWH) plain-language summaries condense research findings in various formats. At Work articles explain study results with comments from the study leads. Research Highlights summarize journal articles in easy-to-read, digest formats. Sharing Best Evidence summaries highlight findings from systematic reviews and other types of reviews conducted or led by IWH researchers. Issue Briefings discuss key research findings from IWH or elsewhere on topics that are of particular interest to policy-makers.

A woman smiles sympathetically at a colleague in an office
Research Highlights

Workers’ and managers’ perspectives on workplace supports for depression

In a survey of workers with depression and those who manage them, nearly one out of four said no supports were available. Asked about the most helpful type of support, survey respondents with lived experience of depression most often indicated employee assistance programs (EAPs) and other supports external to the workplace. As for barriers to implementing practices, participants noted unsupportive managers, lack of knowledge about mental health in the workplace, and lack of training for managers.
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Workplace inspectors inspecting a workplace during COVID, as indicated by the masks they are wearing
At Work article

What research can do: Scanning how OHS authorities responded to the pandemic

A policy briefing by IWH finds common challenges in the way labour inspection authorities in different jurisdictions addressed the pandemic
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Long shadows cast by a row of workers
At Work article

Study probes factors behind poorer health, lower employment in injured workers’ post-claim experience

New injured worker cohort study at IWH focuses on experiences of workers with long-duration claims of 12-plus months
Published:
Close-up of floor markings indicating six feet distances
At Work article

In most sectors, workplaces saw lower COVID transmission rates than in the community

Studies by Institute for Work & Health and Public Health Ontario also find layers of infection control measures adopted in vast majority of workplaces
Published:
People with various disabilities at the office
Research Highlights

The economic benefits of a fully accessible and inclusive Canada

If Canada were a fully accessible and inclusive society, the economic benefits would amount to about $337.7 billion in calendar year 2017. This amount is equal to about 17.6 per cent of the gross domestic product in that year.
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A worker slumps over in fatigue and defeat, next to an angry boss and a desk piled high with work
At Work article

For a segment of the workforce, psychosocial working conditions are poor across the board

IWH study finds risk of burnout, stress greatly increases for the 1 in 10 Canadian workers in consistently bad job environments
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Workplace inspectors inspecting a workplace during COVID, as indicated by the masks they are wearing
Issue Briefing

Response to COVID-19: Gathering experiences of OHS authorities in developed countries

In early 2021, a group of researchers led by IWH President Dr. Cameron Mustard asked authorities responsible for occupational health and safety (OHS) in developed countries how they had, to date, addressed the COVID-19 challenge. This Issue Briefing shares what the researchers learned.
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Vector of masked workers standing in front of workplaces with coronovirus surrounding them, implying impact of COVID on workers
At Work article

What research can do: Partnering on a tool to estimate occupational risks of COVID

Public Health Ontario and Institute for Work & Health collaborate to answer emerging research questions
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A worker bends over, cutting paving stones in a landscaping job
At Work article

Inadequate employment standards, OHS vulnerability add to higher injury risks

IWH study finds injury risks increased five-fold when both types of work vulnerability were present
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A masked worker riding a bus
At Work article

COVID worries highest among workers with both physical, mental health disabilities

Greater concerns among workers with disabilities stem from their work conditions, not disability status
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Two men lift heavy furniture off a truck
At Work article

Emerging evidence points to negative health effects of physical work demands

Findings on ‘physical activity paradox’ suggest need for more warm-ups, work breaks for labourers: scientist
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View from the back of a man in a suit in an urban street
At Work article

Unemployment benefits linked to lower mortality rates over 10 years: IWH study

Study finds jobless people with income support have 25 per cent lower death rates than those without
Published:
Silhouettes of cranberries harvest workers in the light of a sunrise
At Work article

Claim suppression study in B.C. finds under-claiming of work injury to be common

Joint study by Institute for Work & Health and Prism Economics and Analysis also finds employer pressure, inducement not to claim seen in four to 13 per cent of work injuries

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A masked young woman works at a hotel reception desk
At Work article

Education, type of work lessen pandemic job loss in youths with rheumatic diseases

Follow-up study finds employment dropped by 72 per cent when all factors are taken into account
Published:
female factory worker sitting on floor with tools, looking worried about what to do
At Work article

Weaker OHS procedures, policies explain small employers’ higher injury risks: study

No difference in injury risks between large, small firms once OHS policies, procedures accounted for
Published:
Silhouettes of cranberries harvest workers in the light of a sunrise
Issue Briefing

Nature and extent of claim suppression in B.C.’s workers’ compensation system

The Institute for Work & Health collaborated with Prism Economics and Analysis to conduct a study for WorkSafeBC on claim suppression in British Columbia. This Issue Briefing summarizes the findings of this study and compares them with the findings of previous Institute studies on claim suppression in Manitoba and Ontario, as well as with the findings of other research in Canada.
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Silhouettes of construction workers against an orange sky
At Work article

Costs of providing UV ray protection at job sites outweighed by averted skin cancers

IWH economic analysis in Ontario finds net gain over 30 years when protective clothing, shade structures used to reduce skin cancer risk in construction workers
Published:
The back of a male worker, hauling a load in a warehouse setting
Research Highlights

Examining the link between leisure-time exercise and physically demanding work on diabetes risk

Workers in sedentary jobs who meet physical activity guidelines of at least 150 minutes a week have a 37 per cent lower chance of developing diabetes over 15 years, compared to people in the same types of jobs but who do less exercise. Meeting physical activity guidelines is less beneficial for people whose jobs involve movement or high physical demands (such as lifting heavy loads).
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An illustration of young people helping each other climb out of a mountain crevice
At Work article

Nine trends that will likely shape future of work for groups of vulnerable workers

IWH research team conducts ‘horizon scan’ to identify major changes to come, and what they may mean for people currently facing labour market barriers
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A line drawing of a male figure slumped in a chair, head in hand
At Work article

Having depression leads to lower earnings over 10 years: study

Study by IWH researcher finds 10-year earning loss amounts to $115,000 for men and $71,000 for women
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