Across the globe, numerous workers are excluded from stable and mainstream employment. These so-called vulnerable workers, such as people with disabilities or with a migration background, are thought to encompass the largest underused potential on …

Young workers are particularly vulnerable in relation to accidents at work and injuries at their workplace, and thus face potentially harmful exposures and hazardous work to a greater degree than older workers [ 1 – 3 ]. Recent literature shows …

Work ability describes how well a worker perceives they can perform work tasks and responsibilities now and, in the future, as well as how able the worker is to perform work tasks given job demands and available health and mental resources, while …

Sick leave can severely affect an individual’s quality of life, social role, and financial situation [ 1 , 2 ]. In addition, sick leave has vast impacts on societal productivity [ 2 ], and is expected to increase in the future due to demographic …

Mental illness, traditionally a taboo topic in the workplace context, has recently become recognized as one of the major drivers for illness-related absenteeism from work [ 1 , 2 ]. Globally, it is estimated that approximately $1 trillion is lost …

Mental disorders (MD) are one of the leading causes of missed educational opportunities, lower educational achievements, sick leave, job loss, long-term unemployment, and social exclusion [ 1 ]. However, apart from workplace characteristics such as …

Work-related low back pain (WRLBP) is a major contributor to years lived with disability affecting millions of workers globally [ 1 , 2 ]. The Global Burden of Disease 2020 study reported that WRLBP was responsible for a total of 194 years lived …

Employment and a stable connection to the labor market are important to individuals’ psychological health and well-being [ 1 ]. For many, work is an important source of identity, sense of meaning and purpose in life, and of social connection [ 2 …

Eldercare workers are qualified professionals who provide assistance with activities of daily living to dependent older people at either home or long-term facilities. These workers are of paramount importance in current and future society, as …

Previous studies have provided evidence that work accommodations are an effective way to promote and maintain employment despite reduced work ability among the working-aged [ 1 – 3 ]. Work accommodations can also increase innovation and …

It is estimated that road traffic crash (RTC) injuries will cost the world economy US$1.8 trillion from 2015 to 2030 [ 1 ]. In Australia, injuries from RTC were calculated to cost AU$13 billion in 2016 [ 2 ], with the main cost being in workplace …

Supplier diversity initiatives are increasingly becoming a focal point for many organizations as they seek to promote diversity and inclusion in their supply chains. These initiatives involve actively seeking out and engaging with suppliers who …

Despite efforts to improve employment outcomes for autistic adults, internationally their employment rates remain low. For instance, according to the Netherlands Autism Register, only 48% of autistic adults reported to have paid employment in 2021 …

Recent guidelines and research highlight that the potential limited benefits of opioids for managing low back pain may be outweighed by harmful side effects [ 1 – 3 ]. In many countries, opioid analgesics usually require a prescription. General …

Public safety personnel (PSP), including but not limited to firefighters, paramedics, police, correctional workers, and public safety communicators [ 1 ], are routinely exposed to numerous risks to their mental well-being such as potentially …

Telework, also referred to as remote work and working from home, is popular in the job market, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic when it was used as a physical distancing measure [ 1 ]. Telework can be defined as the use of information and …

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are costly to governments, employers, injured employees, and the wider community. In 2012–13, WMSDs cost the Australian economy 28.2 billion dollars, accounting for 1.9% of the gross domestic product.

Whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) after e.g., a car crash is common, with a cumulative annual incidence as high as 600 per 100,000 inhabitants [ 1 ]. About half of car crash victims affected by a whiplash trauma experience chronic and disabling …

Designating an in-house person to facilitate the return to work (RTW) process for sick-listed employees is common practice in many workplaces, as the RTW process can be complex and difficult for different stakeholders to navigate within [ 1 , 2 ].

Stroke has become a major global public health problem. It is the second leading cause of death and the third leading cause of disability worldwide [ 1 ]. According to a report in the Lancet [ 2 ], stroke is the main cause of DALYs …