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
IWH in the media
For millennials, employment is a public health challenge
Millennials now make up the largest share of the Canadian workforce and many are facing precarious work conditions. The long-term public health implications of these trends will be significant, and should be addressed at the policy level, writes Dr. Arif Jetha.
Published: The Conversation, September 2018
IWH in the media
Precarious work a health threat for millennials
Findings from a recent report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) suggest that working in a professional job no longer provides Canadians with access to working conditions that are optimal for health. These findings highlight a troubling trend: a great number of Canadians could be facing working conditions that are linked with poorer health, writes Dr. Arif Jetha.
Published: Toronto Star, August 2018
Project
Project
Preventing work disability among millennial young adults with rheumatic disease
Status: Ongoing
Project
Project
Supporting the employment participation of Canadian young adults with chronic conditions: a systematic review
Status: Completed 2019
At Work article
Young adults with chronic conditions often struggle to access workplace supports
Young people with arthritis have the same accommodation needs as their older counterparts. But they face a few distinct barriers accessing those workplace supports. Find out why.
Published: November 2017
Journal article
Journal article
Education and employment participation in young adulthood. What role does arthritis play?
Published: Arthritis Care and Research, October 2017
IWH in the media
Young adults with arthritis more likely to be workers, not students
A survey of young adults by the Institute for Work & Health (IWH) revealed that those with arthritis reported significantly higher rates of employment and lower rates of education participation than their peers without arthritis.
Published: AJMC.com, January 2017
Issue Briefing
Vulnerable workers and risk of work injury
This Issue Briefing provides highlights of IWH's body of evidence on "vulnerable" workers, tracking how our research has evolved from vulnerability being associated with those who are new to a job to those who are exposed to hazards with inadequate awareness, protective policies and/or empowerment.
Published: November 2016
IWH in the media
Vulnerable workers: Practical steps to protect new and young workers
This Insider Special Report will help you to protect these vulnerable workers by explaining how “newness” can impact workers’ health and safety; the legal protections for new and young workers under the OHS and related laws; and some practical steps you can take to protect this segment of your workforce.
Published: OHS Insider, July 2016
Impact case study
Ontario prevention system shifts risk-of-injury emphasis from “young workers” to “new workers”
New workers are in the spotlight after IWH research show workers are at much greater risk of injury in the first month of the job.
Published: December 2015