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 seated woman with a clipboard in-hand speaks to a female client](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_6_col_wide/public/iwh/images/iStock-1681105205.jpg?h=62bc044e&itok=_-RX-pME)
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
![A man speaks with a female doctor in scrubs who holds a clipboard](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_6_col_wide/public/iwh/images/cannabis_doctor_consult.jpg?h=3688f8d5&itok=3u5P8tEA)
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
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IWH in the media
7 in 10 injured workers still experience pain 18 months later
Seven in 10 workers who were injured on the job in Ontario still experience pain 18 months after the incident, Jim Wilson reports on findings from an IWH study.
Published: Canadian HR Reporter, November 2022
![An older female worker ponders decision while sitting in waiting room](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/older_worker_woman_decision.jpg?h=41a21ba0&itok=NVjPp-dl)
At Work article
Older workers not prone to ask for employer support, citing ageism and other issues
Many older workers are in no hurry to retire, but they may have support needs they're reluctant to divulge. An IWH team explores the reasons and suggests ways workplaces can provide support despite the absence of disclosure.
Published: November 2022
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Return to work in Ontario police services: Current experiences and practices
What challenges do members of police services, both sworn officers and civilian staff, face in their recovery and return to work after a work injury? In this presentation, IWH Scientist Dr. Dwayne Van Eerd shares what he heard from police members—those who were injured as well as those supporting return-to-work— in a qualitative study on return to work in Ontario police services. Using quotes and examples, he also offers suggestions on policies and practices that emerged from the data and that police services can implement to improve the return-to-work process.
Published: October 2022
![A man sitting on a couch holds his shoulder in pain](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/worker_pain_couch.jpg?h=1290ba5b&itok=ejDEG0BA)
At Work article
IWH study finds 7 in 10 injured workers still experience pain more than a year after injury
A high proportion of injured workers in Ontario experience persistent pain for well over a year after their work-related injury. According to an IWH study of workers' compensation lost-time claimants, 70 per cent of workers experience pain 18 months after their work injury.
Published: September 2022
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
What do workplaces need to know to help older workers stay on the job? A qualitative study of older workers’ disclosure decisions
Historic labour shortages are affecting every Canadian job sector. Many workers aged 50 years or more want to work longer, often beyond the traditional retirement age. However, we understand little about the different workplace support needs they may have and whether workers choose to share their needs with others—especially given the negative stereotypes that often surround older workers. In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac shares insights from her study on older workers’ workplace support needs and disclosure decisions. She highlights how workplaces can help older workers stay on the job, regardless of whether they disclose their needs.
Published: September 2022
Project
Project
Inclusive Design for Employment Access (IDEA): Evidence synthesis
As part of the IDEA initiative, IWH is leading an evidence synthesis component to identify needs/challenges, knowledge gaps and existing evidence-informed tools and promising practices related to IDEA's objectives.
Status: Ongoing
![A young worker at her computer workstation holds her shoulder and neck in pain](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/young_worker_pain_fatigue.jpg?h=9855f42d&itok=OUwvuBlY)
Research Highlights
Examining the link between job insecurity, work limitations and persistent symptoms among young adults with rheumatic disease
Young adults with rheumatic disease who reported high work activity limitations were also more likely to report persistent high levels of pain, fatigue and active rheumatic disease symptoms. Those who experienced job insecurity were more likely to report persistent pain and active disease symptoms. That's according to an IWH follow-up study conducted over 27 months.
Published: August 2022
![Black silhouettes of two women in dialogue, with colourful speech bubbles above them](/sites/iwh/files/styles/bootstrap_4_col_widescreen/public/iwh/images/rtw_communications_meeting_0.jpg?h=74c6825a&itok=Q8DEFA9p)
Research Highlights
Getting the message right: strategies to improve return-to-work communication
Communication is central to disability management—especially in large and complex organizations where multiple parties are involved in the return-to-work process and inconsistent practices can add to communication challenges. Workplace stakeholders in large and complex organizations use key strategies to effectively communicate about RTW. They include communicating messages of support, correctly timing RTW communication, carefully wording messages, framing messages and tailoring messages for individual workers.
Published: July 2022
Journal article
Journal article
Impact of persistent pain symptoms on work absence, health status and employment 18 months following disabling work-related injury or illness
Published: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, July 2022
Project report
Project report
Strategies to ensure young persons with disabilities are included in the future of work
Researchers at the Institute for Work & Health are looking for concrete ways to ensure youth and young adults with disabilities are included in the future of work. In the summer of 2021, a research team conducted an online survey with a wide range of people across Canada. This report summarizes six key areas in the future of work that survey participants indicated could both pose difficulties and offer opportunities to young people with disabilities. The report also presents the solutions that participants suggested to address the barriers and take advantage of the opportunities.
Published: May 2022