Return to work, accommodation and support
IWH has a long history of conducting research on practices, policies and processes that help workers sustainably return to work after an illness or an injury. This page pulls together IWH research and resources on employer supports, job accommodations and modifications, as well as other related issues such as disclosure of disability.
Featured
IWH Speaker Series
Deciding whether to share health information at work: A new evidence-based tool for workers with chronic conditions
Published: November 19, 2024
Research Highlights
How do employment support programs impact the health of young adults with episodic disabilities?
Episodic disabilities can make it challenging for workers to find and sustain employment while managing their symptoms and work demands. An IWH study investigated the health impacts of employment support programs for young adults with episodic disabilities.
Published: April 8, 2024
IWH Speaker Series
IWH Speaker Series
Deciding whether to share health information at work: A new evidence-based tool for workers with chronic conditions
Workers with chronic and episodic physical and mental health conditions often struggle when deciding whether to seek support from their workplace. In making decisions, they weigh risks like the loss of privacy or reputation if they disclose their needs, versus concerns about job difficulties and work performance if they don’t receive support.
In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac focuses on the challenges inherent in the decision-making process. She also describes a new decision-support tool called DCIDE that aims to help workers navigate the complexity of disclosure decisions. Developed as part of a large research partnership with input from researchers, people with lived experiences, and health charities, DCIDE is an online, interactive tool that guides users through disclosure decisions and links them with additional resources to support their disclosure and privacy preferences.
In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac focuses on the challenges inherent in the decision-making process. She also describes a new decision-support tool called DCIDE that aims to help workers navigate the complexity of disclosure decisions. Developed as part of a large research partnership with input from researchers, people with lived experiences, and health charities, DCIDE is an online, interactive tool that guides users through disclosure decisions and links them with additional resources to support their disclosure and privacy preferences.
Published: November 2024
Journal article
Journal article
The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT): a nine-month evaluation of use, changes in self-efficacy, presenteeism, and absenteeism in workers with chronic and episodic disabilities
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, August 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Double trouble! Do workplace supports mitigate lost productivity for young workers with both severe rheumatic diseases and depressive symptoms?
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, July 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Understanding the employment landscape in people with systemic sclerosis
Published: Journal of Rheumatology, June 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Work-related suicide: evolving understandings of etiology & intervention
Published: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, June 2024
IWH in the media
Thriving while sick: mentorship platform helps chronically ill workers navigate workplace issues
In an article about an online platform that connects adults with chronic illnesses with mentors, freelance reporter Sanam Islam cites IWH research on workers' reluctance to disclose their chronic illnesses to access workplace support.
Published: The Globe and Mail, April 2024
Research Highlights
How do employment support programs impact the health of young adults with episodic disabilities?
The unpredictable and often invisible nature of episodic disabilities can make it challenging for workers to find and sustain employment while managing their fluctuating symptoms and work demands. For young adults navigating early career phases, these challenges may also have life-long impacts on their career progression and health. Researchers on an IWH study set out to investigate whether employment support programs for young adults with episodic disabilities may also impact their health.
Published: April 2024
Journal article
Journal article
The adequacy of workplace accommodation and the incidence of permanent employment separations after a disabling work injury or illness
Published: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, March 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Return-to-work experiences in Ontario policing: injured but not broken
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, January 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Impact of employment and income support interventions on the health of young adults with episodic disability: findings from a systematic review
Published: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health, January 2024