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
Journal article
Journal article
Cannabis use among workers with work-related injuries and illnesses: results from a cross-sectional study of workers' compensation claimants in Ontario, Canada
Published: BMJ Open, July 2023
Journal article
Journal article
Racial and ethnic inequities in the return-to-work of workers experiencing injury or illness: a systematic review
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, June 2023
IWH in the media
Supporting workers with chronic conditions
Report profiling the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) and its capacity to help worker's find accommodations without disclosing a condition to their employer.
Published: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, May 2023
IWH in the media
New federal initiative aiming to increase employment rate of persons with disabilities
The Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA) initiative aims to build the capacity of employers to hire and accommodate persons with disabilities. This article profiles the initiative's mission.
Published: Benefits Canada, May 2023
IWH in the media
Older workers not prone to ask for employer support
Article reports on an IWH study that found older workers to be reluctant to disclose their need for support in the workplace due to reputational and stereotyping concerns.
Published: Rehab & Community Care, April 2023
IWH in the media
Workplace health conversations are awkward: A new tool is here to help.
Todd Humber reports on discussions about chronic health accommodations at work, profiles the role of the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT).
Published: OHS Canada, April 2023
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Unveiling the JDAPT: A new interactive tool to identify work-related support strategies for workers with chronic conditions and disability
Many workers with chronic physical and mental health conditions struggle when deciding whether to seek support from their workplace. The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) is designed to help address the complexity of disclosure decisions. Developed as part of a large research partnership, the JDAPT is an online, interactive tool that guides users through a series of simple questions about their job demands, job tasks and working conditions. In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac describes the JDAPT tool, its development, as well as data from two studies on the tool. She discusses the JDAPT’s potential to help workers by focusing on work solutions, not medical diagnoses and symptoms.
Published: March 2023
IWH in the media
Accommodation tools aims to bridge gaps between workers and employers
An article by Shane Mercer covering an interview with Monique Gignac about the newly released Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) tool for workers, and the soon-to-be-released version of the tool for employers.
Published: Canadian Occupation Safety, March 2023
IWH in the media
Tool to help workers with chronic and episodic health conditions
Shane Mercer reports on the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) ahead of it's March 21 launch date, including quotes from Monique Gignac describing the tool.
Published: Canadian Occupation Safety, March 2023
News release
News release
New IWH tool helps workers with chronic conditions find job-tailored supports that allow them to keep working
Published: March 2023