Young and new workers
Workers who are in some way “new” to their work have been shown to be at greater risk of work injury. They may be new to the labour market (i.e. young workers), new to their jobs (e.g. because of short-term contract or temporary work, or job change or promotion), or new to the country (i.e. recent immigrants). IWH research tracks injury rates trends among this group, explores the factors behind the increased risk, and evaluates programs designed to protect these potentially vulnerable workers.
Featured
At Work article
Precarity more likely for older, new workers with disabilities
An IWH study finds the risks of working in precarious jobs are the same for people with and without disabilities. But among people with disabilities, precarity is more likely when people are older or have less job tenure.
Published: March 3, 2021
At Work article
What research can do: IWH research helps prevention system shift focus from young to new workers
You know research has had an impact when it changes the language used to frame an issue, and the findings become so ubiquitous they are considered part of the “common wisdom.” That seems to be the case with IWH’s research on injury risks and new workers.
Published: July 31, 2019
Project report
Project report
Fragmentation in the future of work
In 2020, an Institute for Work & Health research team, using a method from the field of strategic foresight called horizon scanning, began exploring what the future may hold for workers, especially those in vulnerable conditions. Its findings are included in this report, which identifies nine future trends that may have a particular impact on vulnerable workers—both positive and negative.
Published: April 2021
At Work article
Precarity more likely for older, new workers with disabilities
An IWH study finds the risks of working in precarious jobs are the same for people with and without disabilities. But among people with disabilities, precarity is more likely when people are older or have less job tenure.
Published: March 2021
Journal article
Journal article
The working disadvantaged: the role of age, job tenure and disability in precarious work
Published: BMC Public Health, December 2020
IWH in the media
The future of work will hit vulnerable people the hardest
A great deal of attention is being paid to the future of work and its impact on Canadians. Often missing from the discussion is the extent to which different workers will be included or excluded from the changing labour market. As the pace of change quickens in the years ahead, the sustainable employment of vulnerable groups could be in greater jeopardy and inequity could widen, writes Dr. Arif Jetha.
Published: The Conversation, March 2020
Project
Project
Future-focused job accommodation practices for the school-to-work transition
Status: Ongoing
Journal article
Journal article
Investigating young adults' mental health and early working life trajectories from a life course perspective: the role of transitions
Published: Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, January 2020
At Work article
What research can do: IWH research helps prevention system shift focus from young to new workers
You know research has had an impact when it changes the language used to frame an issue, and the findings become so ubiquitous they are considered part of the “common wisdom.” That seems to be the case with IWH’s research on injury risks and new workers.
Published: July 2019
At Work article
Review confirms prevention system’s message about injury risks and new workers
If you've been spreading the message about new workers facing higher risks of injury, rest assured. A first ever systematic review on job tenure and injury risks, conducted by IWH, confirms that message.
Published: July 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Are new workers at elevated risk for work injury? A systematic review
Published: Occupational & Environmental Medicine, May 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Supporting the transition into employment: a study of Canadian young adults living with disabilities
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, March 2019