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

A group of young adults look into the camera
At Work article

One in four young adults in the U.S. have poor mental health—and the lowest earnings among their peers

About one in four young adults in the U.S have poor mental health from their mid-teens to mid-30s. They also have the lowest earnings of their same-age peers. That’s according to a new study, conducted by IWH associate scientist, using data not available in Canada.
Published: February 7, 2023
Research Highlights
Research Highlights

Only one in five new workers receive safety training in Canada

Despite the legal requirement in most provinces for employers to provide health and safety to new workers, only one in five new workers actually receive such training, study finds.
Published: January 2007
A faceless picture of five young people
Sharing Best Evidence

Summary of a systematic review of factors associated with occupational disease among young people

Young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries, and as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. This systematic review takes a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured.
Published: October 2006
Systematic Review
Systematic Review

Systematic review of factors associated with occupational disease among young people

What individual, job and workplace factors are associated with occupational disease among young people 12 to 24 years of age? This systematic review report summarizes the factors associated with occupational disease among young workers.
Published: September 2006
At Work article
At Work article

Young worker injury – it’s the job that matters

In terms of injury risk, the type of job or workplace matters more than the nature of the young workers themselves.
Published: April 2006
Silhouette of a large group of young people in goofy poses
Sharing Best Evidence

Systematic review of risk factors for injury among youth: summary

Young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries, and as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. This systematic review takes a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured.
Published: February 2006
Research Highlights
Research Highlights

Ontario has lowest young worker injury rate

A study of injury rates among young workers finds Ontario has the lowest rate and Saskatchewan the highest.
Published: January 2006
Systematic Review
Systematic Review

Systematic review of risk factors for injury among youth

Studies have found that young workers are more likely than older workers to sustain work injuries and, as a result, significant resources have been spent on young worker safety programs. However, these programs were developed without a comprehensive look at the factors that lead young workers to get injured. IWH undertook a systematic review, detailed in this report, to determine what factors are associated with work injury and illness among young workers.
Published: December 2005