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
Using cannabis to manage symptoms of work-related injuries: Experiences of injured workers in Ontario
Published: February 24, 2026
At Work article
Inclusive employment strategies, resources showcased at symposium
Published: November 12, 2025
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
Understanding the unmet accommodation needs of people working with mental or cognitive conditions: the importance of gender, gendered work, and employment factors
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, January 2024
Journal article
Journal article
Workplace disclosure decisions of older workers wanting to remain employed: a qualitative study of factors considered when contemplating revealing or concealing support needs
Published: Work, Aging and Retirement, January 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
IWH in the media
Mental health comorbidities affect workers' recovery from back pain: report
In an article about a report on comorbidities and low back pain from the Workers Compensation Research Institute, reporter Jim Wilson cites IWH research about persistent pain among injured workers in Ontario.
Published: Human Resources Director Canada, December 2023
Journal article
Journal article
Psychometric testing of the British-English Perceived Workplace Support Scale, Work Accommodations, Benefits, Policies and Practices Scale, and Work Transitions Index in four rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions
Published: Musculoskeletal Care, December 2023
Project
Project
Incentives-based approaches to support stay at work/return to work: an environmental scan
This project will identify and examine the incentives for adults with disabilities that promote staying at or returning to work.
Status: Ongoing
Journal article
Journal article
Thirteen-year associations of occupational and leisure-time physical activity with cardiorespiratory fitness in CARDIA
Published: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, November 2023
IWH in the media
Injured workers are using cannabis to self-medicate, study shows
Most workers who use cannabis to treat work-related injuries and illnesses do so without medical guidance or authorization, a recent study out of Canada suggests. This article summarizes findings from the Institute's Ontario Life After Work Injury Study. It found 27.4 per cent of the workers reported using cannabis in the past year. Of that group, 14.1 per cent did so to ease symptoms stemming from a work-related condition, with the majority (67.3 per cent) not receiving guidance on therapeutic cannabis use from a health care provider.
Published: Safety + Health, October 2023