Research Updates

This page lists all research updates available on Return to Work Matters.

Research is chosen for review based on quality of the evidence and its practical value in return to work.

Requests to undertake reviews of research on particular subjects are welcome.

Click the ‘Topics’ button below to drill down into all articles and research updates on your topic of interest.

‘You look much prettier when you smile’ — emerging psychosocial risks in the hospitality industry

contributorLauren Finestone

A study identifies some new psychosocial risks in hospitality jobs and proposes a way to assess...

Can work health and safety management systems address psychosocial risks?

contributorLauren Finestone

Using anonymous data in workplace risk assessments, taking the results seriously and having a...

Don’t take back pain lying down — how rest can make ‘flares’ worse

contributorLauren Finestone

A study confirms that even small changes in your daily habits, like how long you sleep and how...

Is exercise really a good way to self-manage depression?

contributorLauren Finestone

For people who are looking for a natural, drug-free way to manage their depression, a recent...

Safer, healthier, wealthier — the economic value of reducing work-related injuries and illnesses

contributorLauren Finestone

What’s the economic impact of work-related illness or injury? Safe Work Australia engaged...

The high cost of losing value at work

contributorRTWMatters team

Supervisors need to recognise that workers who feel socially devalued at work suffer health and...

Failure to implement

contributorGabrielle Lis

Workplace health and wellbeing programs almost always sound great in theory, but often come...

Gaming workplace wellness

contributorRTWMatters team

For sedentary office workers, gamification steps up activity but nudges (e.g. signs) in the...

Will IT cause chronic health problems?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Sedentary work and screen time leisure sound warning bells for the future health of the growing...

Sick lifestyle? More leave, less work ability

contributorRTWMatters team

Workers with healthy lifestyles have less sick leave and higher work ability than those who...

We need better workplace interventions for common mental disorders

contributorGabrielle Lis

Tackle the psychosocial work environment if you want to see higher productivity, less sickness...

Less mental illness, more flourishing at work

contributorGabrielle Lis

Can interventions that target the psychosocial work environment reduce mental illness AND...

What's behind presenteeism?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Research identifies four productivity-sappers that can lead to presenteeism: job...

Metabolic syndrome: risks and opportunities

contributorRTWMatters team

Metabolic syndrome compromises health and work, but a personalised exercise intervention helps...

Where are the mental health nuts and bolts?

contributorRTWMatters team

Mental health capabilities, culture, policies and procedures are lacking compared to leadership...

Action lagging behind good intentions?

contributorRTWMatters team

Workers see the benefits of good workplace mental health but think business and government need...

Work hours = health risk?

contributorGabrielle Lis

Working more than 39 hours per week negatively impacts mental health; as do very short working...

Research short: Flexible hours improves wellbeing

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

A University of Wollongong survey shows employees with access to flexible working hours are in...

Research short: Bad for the body, bad for the workplace

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

A major study from the Netherlands shows productivity can be improved by helping workers improve...

Research short: A happy work is a healthy work

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Positive workplace environments are necessary for workplace health programs to be successful.

Research short: health risks and disability

contributorDr Mary Wyatt

Individuals with disabilities are more likely to engage in risky health behaviours like smoking...

Off the clock and on the ball

contributorJoy Hewitt

This follow-up study examined the relationship between the after-hours physical activity of...

Health and wellbeing: Take it online and show me the money!

contributorHannah Bourne

Do online physical activity programs work? And are cash incentives good for motivation?

Do obese workers cost more?

contributorHannah Bourne

Investigating obesity-related costs for employers.

Screening for distress

contributorFriyana Bhabha

Studies suggest that it is possible to identify workers at risk of developing psychological...

Kapow! Beating obesity and high blood pressure through workplace intervention

contributorHannah Bourne

Clear goals and helpful tools ensure that workplace interventions pack a real punch

Workplace health and wellbeing : You've got to be in it to win it!

contributorAnna Dunn

Comprehensive equals effective when it comes to workplace health and wellbeing programs...

Depression: Optimising care for the employee and the workplace

contributorTom Wells-Quinn

Depression exacerbates and prolongs pain. What does this mean for the workplace?

Lets get physical, physical!

contributorHannah Bourne

What makes some people more likely to participate in physical activity than others?

Costs vs benefits of obesity interventions

contributorFriyana Bhabha

Workplace health program shows reductions in total health costs and improvements in productivity

Healthy work environment = Healthy workers

contributorFrancesca McSteen

Workers care about support and respect in the workplace and notice whether health and safety are...

6 elements of successful workplace health programs

contributorFrancesca McSteen

Want healthy workers? A well designed workplace health program can help!

Healthy at work

contributorHannah Bourne

Productivity declines more when unwell people are at work rather than absent.

Poor health linked to lower productivity

contributorHannah Bourne

Why investing in worker health may boost productivity.

Leadership in the workplace

contributorFriyana Bhabha

Does good leadership promote good health?

Age + overtime = Lower productivity??? - the evidence

contributorTom Wells-Quinn

Research shows that older workers CAN work overtime and remain productive

Balance at work, balance at home

contributorFrancesca McSteen

Workplace flexibility is associated with better employee health

Physical activity a must for sedentary workers

contributorHannah Bourne

Contrary to expectations, sedentary workers are more likely than heavy workers to lead inactive...

This round is on the boss...

contributorFriyana Bhabha

Alcohol consumption and work absenteeism: Educating workers and preventing absence

Who's the boss? Health and control in the workplace

contributorFriyana Bhabha

If a sense of workplace control is linked to good health, how can it be fostered?