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
IWH Speaker Series
On mental health, remote work and shared accountability: Complex and evolving perspectives on workplace support and accommodation
Published: September 29, 2026
Research Highlights
Nearly half of workers with disabilities hide impact of health condition on work
The decision to not disclose and the decision to actively hide information about the impact of a health condition on work are distinct. This study explores how often people hide health information at the workplace, who is likely to do so, or what the impacts may be.
Published: August 5, 2026
Research Highlights
Psychosocial work conditions and mental health
Having positive mental health is not the same as having no mental illness. The two are related, but distinct, concepts. A study by IWH suggests that better psychosocial work conditions—greater job security, job control and social support—can have greater influence on one more than the other.
Published: June 2019
Research Highlights
Gender differences in the impact of eldercare on work
Women are much more likely than men to stop working, to work part time and to temporarily take time off work in order to care for an older relative. These differences are seen even after taking into account factors such as marital status, having children, hours of work, pay level, job tenure, and status as main wage earner in the household.
Published: June 2019
Tools and guides
Supporting return to work among employees with musculoskeletal or mental health conditions: an evidence-based practical resource
This resource synthesizes the research evidence on the practical solutions that workplaces can implement (in conjunction with workers' compensation, insurance and health-care authorities) to support the return to work of employees with musculoskeletal disorders or mental health conditions.
Published: May 2019
Project
Project
Return to work in policing: synthesizing current practices and implementation guidance
An IWH research team is exploring return to work in policing, by combining the best available research evidence on what works with the practices currently being used by Ontario police services that they identify as effective. The project is expected to culminate in a guide to support the implementation of RTW programs in Ontario police services.
Status: Completed 2022
At Work article
Women’s work more likely than men’s to be disrupted due to caring for older relatives
Women are 73 per cent more likely than men to permanently leave a job due to eldercare responsibilities. They're also five times more likely to work part time to care for their older relatives, a new IWH study has found.
Published: April 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Work disability management communication bottlenecks within large and complex public service organizations: a sociotechnical systems study
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, April 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Perceived role and expectations of health care providers in return to work
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, March 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Dissecting the effect of workplace exposures on workers' rating of psychological health and safety
Published: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, March 2019
At Work article
Boomers with and without chronic conditions have similar needs for workplace supports
Yes, older workers with diabetes or arthritis experience fatigue and pain. But they're not that different from healthy peers in how much they need, or use, workplace accommodations, an IWH study has found.
Published: February 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Retirement expectations of older workers with arthritis and diabetes compared with those of workers with no chronic diseases
Published: Canadian Journal on Aging, February 2019