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
Journal article
Journal article
The role of sex, gender, health factors, and job context in workplace accommodation use among men and women with arthritis
Published: Annals of Work Exposures and Health, February 2018
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: Completed 2021