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

A silhouette of a women holding her head in her hand
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
A black and white image of a rope fraying
Research Highlights

Gender differences in the link between psychosocial work exposures and stress

Women’s and men's stress levels are affected differently by psychosocial work exposures such as supervisor or co-worker support, job control, job demand and job insecurity.
Published: August 2018
A black and white image of a rope fraying
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
An older woman works in a workshop
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
Two office workers sit at their computer workstations late into the night
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
A supervisor has a supportive chat with a worker
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
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
Journal article
Journal article

The role of healthcare providers in return to work

Published: International Journal of Disability Management, August 2018
Members of a hospital committee listen to presentation by female health care worker
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
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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