Future of work
The world of work in Canada and other industrialized countries is undergoing rapid transformation. Major forces driving change include digital technologies, artificial intelligence, climate change, demographic shifts and more. This change may bring far-reaching social, political and economic consequences for a generation of workers. IWH researchers are exploring the emerging issues posed by some of these trends—on health and safety, on work inequities, and on the inclusion of marginalized groups in the future of work—and seeking policy, system and workplace actions that can be implemented now to help ensure a healthy and inclusive future for all.
Featured
At Work article
AI and job quality project gathers partners to develop roadmap
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into workplaces, a new IWH project wants to ensure that job quality—and the health and safety of workers—remains a top priority.
Published: January 14, 2026
IWH Speaker Series
AI adoption at work: Which worker and occupation groups are most likely to be affected?
Published: November 18, 2025
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Fragmentation in the future of work: Exploring the impact of the changing nature of work on vulnerable workers
The future of work is characterized by diverse social, technological, economic, environmental and political changes, including artificial intelligence and the automation of jobs, an aging workforce, climate change. These are expected to disrupt every industry, transform working conditions and affect the types and availability of jobs. Despite a growing discourse on the changing nature of work, there is a limited understanding of how the future of work will impact vulnerable labour market groups. In this presentation, Dr. Arif Jetha outlines nine major trends that may shape the future of work and have a specific impact on vulnerable workers.
Published: February 2021
IWH in the media
Canadian workers aren’t too worried about robots taking their jobs, web survey finds
If walking and talking robots are coming to replace employees at counters, desks and tills, Canadians don’t appear to be too concerned about it. The Toronto Star's Kieran Leavitt reports on a survey by the Environics Institute, with comments from IWH's Dr. Arif Jetha.
Published: Toronto Star, 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-proofing young Canadians with disabilities for the changing labour market
This study systematically examines the future of work as it relates to young people with disabilities, with the aim of anticipating the work and labour market changes that will affect their inclusion and success in the future of work.
Status: Ongoing
At Work article
Benefits outweigh costs for workplaces that accommodate people with mental illness
For employers, the economic benefits of hiring and accommodating workers with mental illnesses range from two to seven dollars for every dollar spent. That's according to a new study on the business case of accommodating mental illnesses.
Published: July 2018
Journal article
Journal article
Scoping review of work disability policies and programs
Published: International Journal of Disability Management, January 2017
At Work article
At Work article
New research centre to examine work disability policy in Canada
The Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy, led by two IWH scientists, aims to improve how people with disability are supported in the labour market
Published: February 2014
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Income security and labour-market engagement: Envisioning the future of work disability policy in Canada
In this plenary IWH senior scientists Drs. Emile Tompa and Ellen MacEachen describe the new Centre for Research in Work Disability Policy, recently launched to address work disability policy challenges through a seven-year SSHRC Partners grant. They describe the centre’s mandate and how it's organized to create a new generation of research on work disability policy.
Published: February 2014
Project
Project
Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy: Envisioning the future of disability policy in Canada
The Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy (CRWDP) is a transdisciplinary initiative on the future of work disability policy in Canada, bringing together over 60 academic and over 60 partners from across the country.
Status: Completed