1. Selected topics

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

Speakers address participants at IDEA Symposium
At Work article

Inclusive employment strategies, resources showcased at symposium

Published: November 12, 2025
A professional woman pushes an older person in a wheelchair in the outdoors
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

Dissecting the effect of workplace exposures on workers' rating of psychological health and safety

Published: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, March 2019
Journal article
Journal article

Perceived role and expectations of health care providers in return to work

Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, March 2019
A tired worker holds her head in her hands as she sits at her desk in a dark office
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
Project
Project

Getting the message right: strengthening RTW communication in B.C.'s health-care sector

Status: Completed 2020
Project
Project

Developing a Canadian work disability standard for paramedics with post-traumatic stress injury

The Institute for Work & Health and Conestoga College are working with CSA Group to develop a Canadian standard on work disability prevention for paramedics with post-traumatic stress injuries.
Status: Completed
Project
Project

Ontario Life After Work Injury Study: Understanding the long-term recovery and labour market outcomes of injured workers in Ontario

Status: Completed 2021
Stylized photo of executive showing improvement over time on graph
Impact case study

Integrating return-to-work principles in an occupational medicine service

An occupational medicine assessment service integrated two of the return-to-work supports (enhanced coordination and communication) outlined in IWH's evidence-based Seven Principles guide, contributing to a significant improvement in the duration of wage replacement benefits among injured workers with problematic musculoskeletal disorders.
Published: November 2018