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
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
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
At Work article
Slight improvements seen in workplace psychosocial conditions over 10 years
How have psychosocial work conditions changed in Canada over a 10-year time frame? Data from Statscan surveys suggest a slight improvement, but the IWH researchers behind the analysis are cautious in their interpretations.
Published: November 2018
IWH in the media
Longer hours linked to diabetes risk in women: Study
Women who work more than 45 hours per week face a 63 per cent greater risk of developing diabetes than women who work fewer hours, but the incidence of diabetes tends to go down for men who work longer hours. Marcel Vander Wier reports on a study by the Institute for Work and Health (IWH) and Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).
Published: Canadian HR Reporter, November 2018
Journal article
Journal article
What are physicians told about their role in return to work and workers' compensation systems? An analysis of Canadian resources
Published: Policy and Practice in Health and Safety, October 2018
Journal article
Journal article
Association between dimensions of the psychosocial and physical work environment and latent smoking trajectories: a 16-year cohort study of the Canadian workforce
Published: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, October 2018
IWH in the media
Work-related stressors impact women and men differently, research finds
Exposure to psychosocial hazards at work adds to the growing health burden stress places upon both women and men, according to recently published Canadian research. Researchers from Institute for Work and Health found women reported lower job control, higher job strain (low job control combined with high job demands) and higher co-worker support compared with men. Women and men were found to have similar levels of job insecurity and supervisor support.
Published: Workers Health & Safety Centre, August 2018
Research Highlights
How workplace support needs differ for younger and older adults with chronic disease
When it comes to workplace supports, people with chronic disease have similar needs, even at different ages and career stages. However, young people face unique challenges related to accessing workplace supports, including a lack of available workplace resources and difficulty overcoming preconceptions around youth and chronic conditions.
Published: August 2018