Aging workers

An IWH-led partnership launches the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT), which is designed to help workers with chronic conditions identify job supports that may help them keep working without having to necessarily disclose their health condition

Published: March 2023

Many workers with chronic physical and mental health conditions struggle when deciding whether to seek support from their workplace. The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) is designed to help address the complexity of disclosure decisions. Developed as part of a large research partnership, the JDAPT is an online, interactive tool that guides users through a series of simple questions about their job demands, job tasks and working conditions. In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac describes the JDAPT tool, its development, as well as data from two studies on the tool. She discusses the JDAPT’s potential to help workers by focusing on work solutions, not medical diagnoses and symptoms.

Published: March 2023

When it comes to asking for support on the job, either due to health or family-related reasons, a deep hesitation is present among older workers, John Dujay reports.

Published: Canadian HR Reporter, November 2022

Many older workers are in no hurry to retire, but they may have support needs they're reluctant to divulge. An IWH team explores the reasons and suggests ways workplaces can provide support despite the absence of disclosure.

Published: November 2022

Historic labour shortages are affecting every Canadian job sector. Many workers aged 50 years or more want to work longer, often beyond the traditional retirement age. However, we understand little about the different workplace support needs they may have and whether workers choose to share their needs with others—especially given the negative stereotypes that often surround older workers. In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac shares insights from her study on older workers’ workplace support needs and disclosure decisions. She highlights how workplaces can help older workers stay on the job, regardless of whether they disclose their needs.

Published: September 2022

An IWH study finds the risks of working in precarious jobs are the same for people with and without disabilities. But among people with disabilities, precarity is more likely when people are older or have less job tenure.

Published: March 2021

Published: Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, December 2020

Published: BMC Public Health, December 2020

Published: PLoS ONE, August 2020

Published: Journal of Applied Gerontology, February 2020