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
Family members play important but unacknowledged role in injury aftermath
When someone gets injured, family members often rally to help with chores, shoulder the child- or elder-care burden and cope with the financial impact. The support family members provide in the aftermath of an injury runs the gamut and needs to be acknowledged, according to a study in Australia.
Published: February 2018
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Systematic review of workplace interventions to manage depression
By the year 2020, depression will be the second leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. What effective intervention approaches for managing depression can workplaces offer to help employees either stay at work while experiencing symptoms, or return to work after a depression-related absence? In this presentation, an Institute for Work & Health team share findings from a recent systematic review of the scientific literature on this question.
Published: January 2018
Journal article
Journal article
Association between psychosocial work conditions and latent alcohol consumption trajectories among men and women over a 16-year period in a national Canadian sample
Published: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, January 2018
Project
Journal article
Journal article
Effectiveness of workplace interventions in return-to-work for musculoskeletal, pain-related and mental health conditions: an update of the evidence and messages for practitioners
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, January 2018
Project
Project
Best practices for work disability prevention management systems: a scoping review in support of new Canadian standard
Status: Completed 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Transitions that matter: life course differences in the employment of adults with arthritis
Published: Disability and Rehabilitation, January 2018
Project
Project
Preventing work disability among millennial young adults with rheumatic disease
Status: Ongoing
Project
Project
Tracking long-term outcomes of injured workers in Ontario to better target supports
Status: Ongoing
Impact case study
Seven “principles” used in return-to-work policies and practices
When Ontario legislated in 1997 that employers and workers cooperate in the early and safe return to work of injured workers, the workplace parties were looking for guidance. They found it in the Institute for Work & Health's evidence-based Seven "Principles" for Successful Return to Work, one of the most popular and widely used guides developed by the Institute.
Published: December 2017