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
IWH in the media
Young adults with arthritis more likely to be workers, not students
A survey of young adults by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) revealed that those with arthritis reported significantly higher rates of employment and lower rates of education participation than their peers without arthritis.
Published: AJMC.com, January 2017
Project
Project
Identifying and implementing current practices in supporting workers with depression
An IWH team drew upon the research evidence—and integrated it with both practitioner expertise and worker and employer preferences—to help identify current practices in managing and implementing depression-related support programs in the workplace.
Status: Completed 2017
Project
Project
System-based return-to-work and disability management interventions: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2019
Project
Project
Conceal or reveal? Facilitators and barriers to older workers' communication of accommodation needs
Little is known about how older workers make decisions about whether or not to communicate their job accommodation needs and, if so, to whom, when and how. An IWH study is exploring the barriers and facilitators to the communication of baby boomers’ workplace accommodation needs.
Status: Completed 2021
Journal article
Journal article
Male-female differences in work activity limitations: examining the relative contribution of chronic conditions and occupational characteristics
Published: Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, January 2017
Project
Project
Accommodating and Communicating about Episodic Disabilities (ACED): A partnership to deliver workplace resources to sustain employment of people with chronic, episodic conditions
A multi-partner research team led by IWH is seeking to develop evidence-informed resources to facilitate communication and accommodation planning among workers with episodic mental and physical health conditions, supervisors and other workplace parties.
Status: Ongoing
Project
Project report
Project report
Role of health-care providers in the workers' compensation system and the return-to-work process: executive summary
Health-care providers play an important role in the return to work of injured workers, yet research suggests they sometimes struggle with this responsibility. This executive summary provides an overview of the findings of a study on health-care providers' experiences in return to work and in working with workers' compensation systems.
Published: December 2016
Project report
Project report
Role of health-care providers in the workers' compensation system and the return-to-work process: final report
Health-care providers play an important role in the return to work of injured workers, yet research suggests they sometimes struggle with this responsibility. This report shares the findings of a study on health-care providers' experiences in return to work and in working with workers' compensation systems. It also suggests practices and policies that may help clarify the role of health-care providers and make workers’ compensation systems easier to navigate for all stakeholders.
Published: December 2016
Journal article
Journal article
Implementing a collaborative return-to-work program: lessons from a qualitative study in a large Canadian healthcare organization
Published: Work, November 2016