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
At Work article
Arts-based study reveals complexities of working as a nail technician
Workplace hazards have been the focus of many studies on the health and safety of nail salons and their workers. An arts-based study strived to demonstrate the complexity of nail technicians’ relationships to their work, finding both harms and joys.
Published: July 31, 2025
At Work article
Top-ranked strategies to support young persons with disabilities in the future of work
IWH researchers asked persons with disabilities, practitioners and subject matter experts about strategies for disability inclusion in the face of six future of work challenges. A new report details their top-ranked strategies to foster inclusion in the face of each challenge.
Published: June 7, 2024
At Work article
Depressive symptoms in people with arthritis linked to lower employment rates
Research has shown that people with arthritis face difficulties finding work and staying at work. Now, a new study finds that when people with arthritis also have depressive symptoms, the risks of work disability are even greater.
Published: October 2020
Research Highlights
Depression and work among adults with arthritis
About 13 per cent of working-age people in the U.S. who have arthritis also experience depressive symptoms. Having both arthritis and depressive symptoms lowers the likelihood of working. For people aged 35 to 54, having depressive symptoms in addition to arthritis lowers the likelihood of working by 17 per cent.
Published: October 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
Journal article
Journal article
Investigating young adults' mental health and early working life trajectories from a life course perspective: the role of transitions
Published: Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, January 2020
At Work article
Review confirms prevention system’s message about injury risks and new workers
If you've been spreading the message about new workers facing higher risks of injury, rest assured. A first ever systematic review on job tenure and injury risks, conducted by IWH, confirms that message.
Published: July 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Are new workers at elevated risk for work injury? A systematic review
Published: Occupational & Environmental Medicine, May 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Supporting the transition into employment: a study of Canadian young adults living with disabilities
Published: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, March 2019
IWH in the media
Tailored support effective for young workers with disabilities
Young adults today have difficulty entering the labour market, especially those with chronic disabling conditions. A systematic review of the relevant research found tailored supported employment interventions can help young individuals with chronic disabilities succeed on the job, Amanda Silliker reports.
Published: Canadian Occupational Safety, February 2019
At Work article
Supported job placements help young adults with disabilities find work: review
Job placements, offered in tandem with a suite of tailored employment supports, can help young people with disabilities make the transition into the labour force, according to an IWH systematic review.
Published: February 2019
Journal article
Journal article
Work-focused interventions that promote the labour market transition of young adults with chronic disabling health conditions: a systematic review
Published: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, January 2019