Trusted research, with reach and impact
The Institute for Work & Health (IWH) is an independent, multidisciplinary, not-for-profit research organization located in Ontario, Canada. IWH conducts and mobilizes research that supports policy-makers, employers and workers in creating healthy, safe and inclusive work environments.
Latest news & findings
Mental health challenges cost employers over $100 billion a year
According to a new report, the annual cost of mental health challenges in Canada is estimated to be $180 billion. Most of these costs are borne by employers and businesses, and are directed toward reactive responses to mental health conditions, rather than proactive approaches or treatment.
Implementation strategies for post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) programs in first responder workplaces
First responder organizations have noted the challenges they face in implementing post-traumatic stress injury (PTSI) programs in the workplace. To better understand these experiences and challenges, an IWH research team conducted a study with stakeholders from first responder organizations in Alberta, Canada. Based on the findings and on existing implementation frameworks, this resource provides an overview of key implementation steps to consider when planning, implementing (delivering) and maintaining/sustaining PTSI programs in the workplace.
System-level approaches to preventing and managing work-related psychological injuries
Work-related psychological injuries are increasing across jurisdictions in Canada and Australia. To understand the strategies and activities implemented to reduce the impact of psychological injuries, this project looked at how different jurisdictions in Canada and Australia prevent workplace psychosocial hazards, define and compensate psychological injuries, and support workers through recovery and return to work.
Three key research areas take focus at IWH meeting with health and safety leaders
The third annual IWH Connects meeting brought together health and safety leaders to share and discuss findings in three areas of IWH research. They included: the ways new businesses start managing health and safety, the challenges faced by those providing workplace disability supports, and the research landscape on substance use and work. Read about the highlights.
IWH Speaker Series
Learn directly from IWH researchers themselves about their latest findings in health, safety and disability prevention. Coming up next:
Parental employment quality and the mental health of children
Presented by Faraz Vahid Shahidi.
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026, 11:00AM EST
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Tools and guides
Integrate evidence-based policies and practices into your occupational health and safety, return-to-work and rehabilitation programs. IWH has created a number of tools and guides based on our research findings that can help improve program outcomes.
Impact case studies
Find out how IWH research is making a difference. Read our impact case studies, in which policy-makers, workplaces and other stakeholders in health, safety and disability prevention tell how IWH research helped improve their policies, programs and practices.
Research summaries
Whether it’s a policy briefing, a systematic review summary or the highlights of a specific research project, we’ve compiled a number of plain-language summaries to help you understand the research we’re doing, what we have found, and how we found it.