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
Project
Project
How RTW differs for workers with psychological injuries, older workers
Using workers' compensation data from the Australian state of Victoria, an IWH study investigates differences in the return-to-work experiences of workers with psychological injuries compared to those with musculoskeletal disorders, and of older workers compared to younger ones.
Status: Completed 2020
Impact case study
Evidence-based service delivery model at WSIB improved return-to-work outcomes
A new case management system for delivering services to injured workers and employers in Ontario leads to improved return-to-work outcomes.
Published: December 2014
Impact case study
WSIB work reintegration program improves outcomes, lowers costs
Study by IWH "points us in the right direction," says former WSIB exec.
Published: December 2014
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Returning to work following low-back pain: Do prognostic factors differ for acute, subacute and chronic pain?
How long does it take for someone with low-back pain to recover enough to return to work? That's a question often asked by the worker, the employer, and the workers' compensation agency alike. In this plenary, Dr. Ivan Steenstra shares prognostic factors for subacute and chronic low-back pain and compares them with prognostic factors for acute pain. He also discusses how stakeholders use prognostic information, and how their understanding of prognostic factors compares to his own findings.
Published: November 2014
At Work article
IWH to explore how work affects health of women and men differently
New research chair explores role of gender and sex in work injury risk, recovery, chronic disease outcomes
Published: November 2014
Project
Project
Policies and practices on the accommodation of people with visible disabilities in the workplace
A research team led by IWH reviewed the literature to identify the workplace accommodations that employers in different workplaces are making at the recruitment, hiring and working stages for employees with visible disabilities.
Status: Completed 2017
Project
Project
Role of aging in return to work and stay at work: a systematic review
What interventions and factors help injured older workers successfully return to work? A research team led by the Institute for Work & Health searched the evidence for answers.
Status: Completed 2017
Project
Project
Understanding the employment needs and experiences of baby boomers with arthritis and diabetes
Episodic health conditions such as arthritis and diabetes can pose unique challenges to older workers who wish to remain in the workforce. An IWH team explored these challenges and their association with work outcomes.
Status: Completed 2019
Impact case study
WSIB introduces new work reintegration program
Research by IWH scientist describes problems with previous program and suggests way forward.
Published: October 2012
Sharing Best Evidence
Factors affecting RTW following acute low-back pain
This systematic review set out to find what factors affect the length of time it takes before returning to work. The aim was to identify which workers with acute low-back pain are at high risk of long-term absences and, therefore, in need of extra attention to help them recover and return to work more quickly.
Published: May 2012