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
At Work article
IWH knowledge transfer and exchange approach a ‘perfect fit’ for episodic disabilities project
This article illustrates how a seven-year partnership project used IWH’s approach to KTE to develop and share usable outputs from the research findings.
Published: September 8, 2025
Impact case study
Being part of an IWH research partnership helped health charities meet their communities’ needs
Published: August 1, 2025
Tools and guides
Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT)
This tool identifies job demands that are difficult for a worker with a chronic, potentially episodic, health condition and suggests personalized accommodation ideas tailored to these demands that can help the worker continue to work comfortably, safety and productively.
Published: March 2023
Impact case study
Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba uses IWH research to update its “Return to Work Basics” workshop
When the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba decided to update its return-to-work training, it wanted to build confidence in the content by including evidence-based guidance from trusted sources. For a key part of the workshop, it turned to the Institute for Work & Health's "Seven Principles."
Published: February 2023
Journal article
Journal article
Experiential aspects of employment and their relationship with work outcomes: a cross-sectional study using a novel measure of participation in workers with and without physical disabilities
Published: Disability and Health Journal, February 2023
IWH in the media
Union calls for national task force to fight violence against transport workers
An article by Jim Wilson on workplace violence in the transit sector cites IWH study on pain post-injury.
Published: Canadian HR Reporter, January 2023
Project
Project
ECHO PSP: Piloting the use of the ECHO model to promote recovery and return-to-work among public safety personnel in Ontario
This pilot project is evaluating the use of the ECHO model in Ontario to improve return-to-work support for injured firefighters, paramedics, police officers and other public safety personnel.
Status: Ongoing
Journal article
Journal article
A sensibility assessment of the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT): a tool to help workers with an episodic disability plan workplace support
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, January 2023
Journal article
Journal article
How does job insecurity and workplace activity limitations relate to rheumatic disease symptom trajectories in young adulthood? A longitudinal study
Published: Arthritis Care & Research, January 2023
IWH in the media
Older employees reluctant to ask for support: study
When it comes to asking for support on the job, either due to health or family-related reasons, a deep hesitation is present among older workers, John Dujay reports.
Published: Canadian HR Reporter, November 2022
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Persistent pain: its role in work absence, health, and employment after a disabling work-related injury
Among working-aged adults, one of every six injuries that need medical attention are caused by work exposures, with over a third of these injuries leading to periods of work absence or disability. Chronic or persistent pain may occur after an injury. It is currently unclear how many workers experience persistent pain and how it impacts worker health and function, return to work and disability benefit expenditures. In this presentation, Dr. Kathleen Dobson shares findings from a study of Ontario workers experiencing a work-related injury or illness focusing on the prevalence of persistent pain, and its association with return-to-work outcomes.
Published: November 2022
IWH in the media
Study finds long-term pain an issue for many injured workers
A recent study of injured workers in Ontario “reinforces the importance of modified duties (if necessary) and return-to-work planning,” researcher say after results showed 70% experienced persistent pain 18 months after being injured.
Published: Safety+Health, November 2022