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
One in four young adults in the U.S. have poor mental health—and the lowest earnings among their peers
About one in four young adults in the U.S have poor mental health from their mid-teens to mid-30s. They also have the lowest earnings of their same-age peers. That’s according to a new study, conducted by IWH associate scientist, using data not available in Canada.
Published: February 7, 2023
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
At Work article
Parents of 12- to 14-year-olds see high benefits, low OHS risk, in children’s work
Despite high injury rates in young teens who work, their parents voice trust in safety of workplaces
Published: August 2014
At Work article
At Work article
The young and new on job most affected by heat stress: study
Study of work-related heat stress finds heat strokes, sun strokes and other heat illnesses spike over groups of days and disproportionately affect those on the job less than two months
Published: July 2013
At Work article
At Work article
Study finds persistence of higher injury risk for new workers
We know that newly hired workers face a higher injury rate. Recent research from the Institute for Work & Health finds that the higher risk of work injury among new workers has persisted over the past ten years. This suggests workplaces need to do more to ensure new workers get the training and supe
Published: July 2012
At Work article
At Work article
Change is possible: Ontario youth WSIB claim rate declining
A recent study from the Institute for Work & Health shows that, in Ontario, the youth injury rate is declining more steeply than, and converging with, the adult rate. This shows these injury rates are not static and can be potentially improved through prevention strategies.
Published: October 2011
Research Highlights
Ontario youth work injury rate declining more steeply, converging with adult rate
From 1999 to 2007, the lost-time claim rate for young Ontario workers (ages 15 to 24) declined more steeply than the adult rate, and as a result the two rates are converging.
Published: January 2011