Workers' compensation and benefits policy
Workers' compensation is a form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to workers injured in the course of their employment. Eligibility for, and awarding of, benefits to injured workers are determined by workers’ compensation boards, which are funded through employer premiums. IWH research explores trends in compensation benefits, including benefit adequacy and equity, as well as the effects of compensation policy design on injury and illness prevention.
Featured
Research Highlights
Severe pain, not pressure to return to work or lack of accommodation offer, linked to opioid use post-injury
An IWH study found that among a group of injured workers in Ontario, those who experienced severe pain were more likely to use opioids than those who had no or only mild pain.
Published: February 12, 2025
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
Issue Briefing
A patchwork quilt: Income security for Canadians with disabilities
This Issue Briefing draws attention to the policy challenge of coordinating and aligning both the goals and the administration of at least seven different disability income security programs in Canada.
Published: November 2010
Impact case study
German MSD campaign incorporates IWH systematic review findings
Germany's social insurance authority regularly turns to systematic reviews from the Institute for Work & Health because of their quality and reliability.
Published: November 2010
Impact case study
Ontario WSIB rolls out new service delivery model
Agency turns around rise of long-duration claims with a new model informed by IWH research.
Published: October 2010
Impact case study
WSIB turns to IWH for its expertise in logic models
Institute scientists work with WSIB to provide ongoing evaluation of three important programs.
Published: September 2010
Impact case study
Auditor general report leads to hearings on WSIB unfunded liability
Report cites IWH research as important in identifying the need for change in WSIB's service delivery model.
Published: March 2010
Issue Briefing
Workers' compensation in California and Canada
This Issue Briefing provides a case study that compares the costs of the workers’ compensation scheme in the state of California with the cost of provincial workers’ compensation schemes in Canada. In California's system, compensation benefits are mainly provided through private insurers, while in Canada they are provided mostly through a single public agency in each province.
Published: February 2010
Issue Briefing
Workers' compensation and the business cycle
A worldwide recession has begun in the wake of the Fall 2008 meltdown of financial markets. What is the likely impact of the recession on workers’ compensation costs? Are work-related injuries likely to be more severe? What can we anticipate about claim frequency and severity when recovery occurs and economic growth resumes? This Issue Briefing explores findings from past research on workers’ compensation and the business cycle from IWH and other sources.
Published: March 2009
At Work article
At Work article
Disability income security programs are poorly coordinated
Canadian workers with disabilities face a patchwork of income security benefit programs – and many working-age disabled Canadians receive no income security benefits at all, according to a study by Institute for Work & Health researchers. Income security benefits provide financial support to those w
Published: August 2008
At Work article
At Work article
Scientist-worker alliance to study work injury
A unique research alliance of injured workers and scientists has received a prestigious $1 million funding award from a federal research program. The Institute for Work & Health is involved as a partner.
Published: August 2006