Return to work, accommodation and support
IWH has a long history of conducting research on practices, policies and processes that help workers sustainably return to work after an illness or an injury. This page pulls together IWH research and resources on employer supports, job accommodations and modifications, as well as other related issues such as disclosure of disability.
Featured
Research Highlights
How do employment support programs impact the health of young adults with episodic disabilities?
Episodic disabilities can make it challenging for workers to find and sustain employment while managing their symptoms and work demands. An IWH study investigated the health impacts of employment support programs for young adults with episodic disabilities.
Published: April 8, 2024
Research Highlights
Workers are using cannabis to treat work-related conditions, mostly without medical guidance
While cannabis is often used recreationally, there is growing interest in its use for therapeutic purposes, such as for pain, anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Some workers are using cannabis many months following the onset of a work-related condition, mostly without medical guidance.
Published: October 5, 2023
At Work article
Sex/gender analysis: Links between psychosocial work factors and stress not always as expected
IWH study examines differences between men and women when it comes to the links between stress and psychosocial work factors such as supervisor support, job control and job security.
Published: August 2018
At Work article
Sex/gender analysis: Men and women with arthritis have same needs at work, but not the same supports
Study of workers with arthritis finds the need for workplace supports goes unmet more often among women, and that's due to the type of jobs and workplaces women are in.
Published: August 2018
At Work article
Supervisors who react with support can help injured workers return to the job
When a worker gets injured, does the supervisor react with blame and skepticism or with empathy and support? The reaction can make a difference to the worker's return-to-work outcomes.
Published: August 2018
At Work article
Sex/gender analysis: Gender study finds overwork linked to higher risks of diabetes in women, not men
Working too long increases risks of diabetes—for women, not men—IWH and ICES study finds.
Published: August 2018
Journal article
Journal article
The role of healthcare providers in return to work
Published: International Journal of Disability Management, August 2018
Journal article
Journal article
Psychosocial work factors and diabetes: what is known and what is left to know?
Published: Journal of Diabetes, Metabolic Disorders & Control, August 2018
At Work article
Collaborative return-to-work program helps hospital lower injury claims, duration: study
An Ontario acute-care hospital and its unions set out to tackle high injury and disability claims rates by developing a collaborative return-to-work program. And according to an IWH implementation study, the results are promising.
Published: July 2018
Journal article
Journal article
Adverse effect of long work hours on incident diabetes in 7065 Ontario workers followed for 12 years
Published: BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, July 2018
IWH in the media
Hard-working women, go home earlier to avoid this disease
Here's a good reason for women to work less, ask for a raise or get their partners to pick up around the house more: If women work fewer hours, it'll lower their risk of diabetes, according to a study by the Institute for Work & Health, reports CNN's Jen Christensen.
Published: CNN, July 2018
IWH in the media
Working overtime could raise women's diabetes risk
Working lots of overtime may get you appreciation from the boss, but it might be bad for your health, writes Serena Gordon of U.S. News & World Report, about a new IWH study
Published: U.S. News & World Report, July 2018