Institute for Work & Health

Thanks to @humberpoly.bsky.social , Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN) and Bravework for helping with this case study, and for sharing our tools!

Three people stop to talk in the hallway of an office building.

Since the release of the JDAPT and DCIDE, tools designed to support workers with #chronic and #EpisodicConditions, word has spread quickly to new audiences.

That's thanks to organizations that helped the tools reach #workers, #employers and students who could use them. Read more: buff.ly/uBbqdq0

A promotional graphic for the “Disability & Work in Canada (DWC) 2025 Conference.” The background shows attendees seated at round tables during the 2023 conference, eating and talking. The DWC multicoloured logo appears at the top, with text that reads “DWC – Disability & Work in Canada – 2025 Conference.” A yellow badge says “Tickets Still Available.” At the bottom, event details read “December 1st–2nd · The Westin Ottawa · 8AM–4:30PM,” along with the website ccrw.org/dwc-initiative.

📣Only 1 week until the DWC Conference! Join us Dec 1–2 as we explore how disability inclusion drives innovation and economic success.

🎟️ Tickets available: buff.ly/YzSVpTM

#PWD #DWC #AccessibleCanada #DisabilityInclusion

Dr. Emile Tompa speaking at the IDEA symposium.

A view of the conference room at the IDEA symposium.

A photo of all the presenters at the IDEA symposium.

How can employers build more inclusive workplaces and practices?

This was the focus of the @vraie-idea.ca symposium, where researchers and stakeholders shared insights and tools to help build employers’ capacity to hire, onboard, retain, mentor and promote persons w/ #disabilities: buff.ly/rHiD9I5

Text reads: "At the next IWH Speaker Series presentation... AI adoption at work: Which worker and occupation groups are most likely to be affected? Presenter: Arif Jetha. Date: Tuesday, November 18, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m."

Canadian workplaces are increasingly using #ArtificialIntelligence (AI) to become more innovative and productive. But the benefits may vary for different types of workers and jobs.

On November 18, Dr. Arif Jetha will discuss a study on how #AI may affect workers in different ways: buff.ly/cZb731b

Text reads: "Mental health of Canadians who work from home no different than those working outside the home." Alongside, the is an image of a worker on a video meeting in his living room.

A study of 25,000 Canadians in 2022, in a collab with IWH's Dr. Avi Biswas, found that those who #WorkFromHome report the same levels of #MentalHealth, life satisfaction or #stress as those who work outside the home (at a workplace) or at no fixed location (on the road). Read more: buff.ly/LsitxRW

Thanks for sharing our research - there are so many benefits to inclusion and inclusive workplaces!

Graphic of workers in a factory; a robot overseeing health and safety.

An IWH study led by Dr. Arif Jetha found that about 25% of firms surveyed across Ontario and BC were using #AI for occupational health and safety (#OHS).

Larger orgs and those where workers were frequently exposed to hazards were more likely to use AI for OHS.

Read about the study: buff.ly/hb6H0Lx

Researchers and staff at IWH put a lot of focus on how to tap into partner expertise to refine #research goals and facilitate the sharing and use of findings.

How does that look, in practice?

Our case study details how an IWH project carried our #KTE approach: buff.ly/Vc7OdHn

#KnoweldgeExchange

Text reads: "Parental job quality linked to children's mental health, school performance. When parents work precarious jobs, with low pay, irregular schedules, or few hours, their children are more likely to experience mental health problems and perform poorly at school. This highlights the importance of good-quality jobs not only for the wellbeing of workers, but also for their children. That's according to a pair of studies by researchers at the Institute for Work & Health and McMaster University that drew on two large-scale surveys from Ontario and across Canada."

Children whose parents work low-quality, precarious jobs are more likely to experience mental health problems and perform poorly at school.

That’s according to a pair of studies, co-led by Dr. Faraz Shahidi (IWH) and Dr. Anne Fuller (McMaster University). Read about the studies: buff.ly/zJbDMnA

Text reads: "At the next IWH Speaker Series presentation... Engaging employees in wellness: Insights from workplace champions. Presenter: Aviroop Biswas. Date: Tuesday, October 21, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m."

On October 21, Dr. Avi Biswas will discuss findings from a study on how formal and informal #WorkplaceWellness champions promote #WorkerWellbeing within their organizations, and their motivations, strategies, and the successes and challenges they face. Register to attend: buff.ly/rpoS4HY

Text reads: "IWH Systematic Review Workshop. October 30-31. Toronto, Ontario (in-person). Register by October 15."

There's only a few days left to register for IWH's systematic review workshop! 👇

Taking place October 30 and 31, in-person in Toronto, you'll learn how to plan, conduct and communicate the results of a #SystematicReview.

Register by October 15: buff.ly/Yr4LmjU

#ResearchMethods #AcademicSky

How employers can promote physical activity among workers: 3 messages based on research Getting more physical activity at work or during commutes might make physical activity goals more feasible for working people. Here are evidence-based ways employers can help.

The benefits of exercise for physical/mental health and productivity are well-known. But many of us struggle to get enough.

In this @ca.theconversation.com article, IWH Scientist Dr. Avi Biswas highlights how employers can promote physical activity at work to boost worker wellbeing

We are proud to share that two DLSPH students received S. Leonard Syme Research Training Awards from @iwhresearch.bsky.social. Congratulations, Travis Van Belle and Erene Stergiopoulos!

🔗 Read IWH’s announcement: ow.ly/Bk1S50X7amS

#PublicHealth #EarlyCareerResearcher #WorkAndHealth

Text reads: "We are hiring! Director of Strategic Relations (12-month parental leave). Apply by: November 3, 2025."

📣 We're hiring! IWH is looking for a Director of Strategic Relations to cover a 12-month parental leave beginning January 2026.

Learn more and apply: buff.ly/zq4UleE

MEDIA RELEASE: New initiative from @vraie-idea.ca aims to enhance workplace capacity to employ youth with disabilities in construction, building trades, and manufacturing sectors:

eOfficeErgo: Ergonomics e-learning for office workers eOfficeErgo is an evidence-based and standard-compliant online training program designed for employees who regularly use computers on the job and would benefit from self-directed online training on…

-eOfficeErgo: Developed at IWH, this is a free, online program on the proper way to set up and work at office workstations: buff.ly/NKpg1Nk

-Daily resources from Excellence Canada focused on mental health, physical wellbeing, social connection, and workplace culture: excellence.ca/chwm-2025

Text reads: "#HealthyWorkplaceMonth. October is Healthy Workplace Month!" Logo for Institute for Work & Health at bottom of image. Graphics depicting a heart, an office building, and a profile view of a face are featured.

October is #HealthyWorkplaceMonth! This month highlights the importance of practising workplace habits that promote a healthy mind, body and organizational culture.

If you're looking for healthy workplace activities to start on your own or to share in your organization, check out these resources🧵

IAIABC 111th Convention - International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions The Pfister Hotel

On Oct. 7, IWH's Dr. Kathleen Dobson will present at the IAIABC conference with Dr. Michael Lacroix on the nuances between #MentalIllness and #MentalHealth, how each are linked to #WorkersCompensation claim durations in Ontario, and implications for workers’ compensation regulators.

buff.ly/bvwgZz4

This year's conference also features a special session on economic evaluation of working environment interventions.

The call for presentations is open—submit your application by October 1, and register by November 1 to attend!

Learn more: buff.ly/LdlaFg3

#ROI #OHS #WorkerWellbeing

The Third International Conference on Working Environment Economics 'Employee well-being and organisational performance' is chosen as the main topic of The Third International Conference on Working Environment Economics that is held 11–12 December 2025 in Copenhagen.

Dec. 11-12: Det Nationale Forskningscenter for Arbejdsmiljø and the University of Copenhagen will host the International Conference on Working Environment Economics. This field explores #economic consequences of workplace conditions at societal, organizational & individual levels: buff.ly/sUhNPRj

Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool for organizations | ACED - Accommodating and Communicating about Episodic Disability The Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) is an award-winning tool that provides practical support and accommodation ideas to help workers experiencing episodic conditions in the…

The JDAPT is also available for organizations looking for tailored accommodation ideas that will help them support workers with chronic conditions: buff.ly/1jVOzUT

#HumanResources #HR #OHS #ChronicHealthCondition #InvisibleDisability #DisabilityManagement

If you are working with a long-term health condition where symptoms come and go, try out the JDAPT. It's a free, online tool developed by IWH researchers to help you identify parts of your job that may be difficult because of your health, and suggests strategies to address them: buff.ly/gzdYp8J

Supporting workers with disabilities and their workplaces Overview Overview Many workers with long-term physical and mental health conditions struggle when deciding whether to seek support from their workplace. In making decisions, they weigh risks like the…

Sept 26: At the @vraie-idea.ca Speaker Series, hear IWH's Dr. Monique Gignac discuss 2 research-based tools, DCIDE and JDAPT, which help people working with long-term health conditions decide whether to disclose their condition, and find #accommodations tailored to their job demands: buff.ly/2xOPc2y

Text reads: "At the next IWH Speaker Series presentation... Beyond employment rates: The long-term work experiences of Canadians with mental health conditions. Presenter: Kathleen Dobson. Date: Tuesday, September 23, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m."

The IWH Speaker Series is back for a new season! To start us off, join Dr. Kathleen Dobson on Tuesday, September 23 to learn about her research on the long-term work experiences of Canadians living with #MentalHealth conditions: buff.ly/RvKZvv9

#WorkAndHealth #AcademicSky 🧪

Excited for our IDEA Symposium opening keynote! Susanne Bruyère, Professor & Director of the Yang-Tan Institute at Cornell will share powerful insights on inclusive employment practices.

Don’t miss her vision for accessible, equitable workplaces! vraie-idea.ca/idea-symposium

IDEA Symposium

📣 The IDEA symposium agenda is now live!

Visit our event page to learn about the amazing roster of speakers, representing diverse organizations, who will be presenting at the IDEA symposium.

vraie-idea.ca/idea-symposium

Syme research training award recipients announced Posted Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Read more about the awards and fellows' research focus: buff.ly/wB48k3q #ResearchAward #EarlyCareerResearcher #WorkAndHealth #OHS #HealthAndSafety

Congrats to the new recipients of our Syme Research Training Awards!

-Erene Stergiopoulos of the @utoronto.ca Institute for Health Policy, Management and Evaluation

-Travis Van Belle of @uoftdlsph.bsky.social

-Rebecca Cairns of @smuhalifax.bsky.social

-Emily Howe of @memorialu.bsky.social

Text reads: "IWH Systematic Review Workshop. October 30-31. Toronto, Ontario (in-person). Register by October 15."

OCT 30-31: IWH's systematic review workshop is back this fall, in-person in Toronto. In this workshop, you'll learn how to plan, conduct and communicate the results of a systematic review.

Register by October 15 to attend: buff.ly/Yr4LmjU

#SystematicReview #ResearchMethods #Research #AcademicSky