New Health Advisory Network Report Reveals Gaps in Workplace Support and Canadian Employee Needs
Ottawa, August 25, 2025 — Many Canadians balancing work and health conditions are falling through the cracks. A new Health Advisory Network survey of 160 Canadians reveals significant gaps between what employees need and what workplaces provide, with managers acting as the front line for providing supports to patients or caregivers, often without the training or tools necessary to respond effectively.
79% of respondents disclosed a health condition or caregiving responsibility to their employer, most out of necessity, not comfort. A quarter of respondents who requested accommodations for their health conditions were denied, and only 19% felt the accommodations they received improved their productivity.
“There is a clear disconnect between the needs of employees affected by health conditions and the capacity of organizations to support their management in the workplace.
Real members of the Canadian workforce shared aspects of work-care balance that are the most challenging for them, providing valuable insights into the effects of workplace policies and processes concerning health disclosures and accommodations.
The figures speak for themselves: more supportive workplaces make for more inclusive workforces and more resilient businesses!” says Kimberley Hanson, Chief Executive Officer at HealthPartners Canada.
The findings reveal an urgent need for better workplace health supports. Measures such as flexible work, paid medical leave, and non-discrimination policies can boost morale, productivity, and retention.
Read the full Health Advisory Network survey findings: Pathways to Inclusion: Managing Health Conditions in Canadian Workplaces
About HealthPartners Canada
A unique collective representing Canada’s top 20 health charities, HealthPartners empowers Canadian workplaces to host fundraising campaigns to advance research, deliver programs, and lead advocacy efforts around health conditions affecting 9 in 10 Canadians. Adding purpose to the workplace with HealthPartners is a free way to make a proven investment in the well-being of people and businesses in Canada. https://healthpartners.ca/
About the HealthPartners Health Advisory Network
The HealthPartners Health Advisory Network (HAN) is an online community that empowers people with health conditions and caregivers to share their lived experiences through surveys and consultations with the objectives of producing valuable insights that can help shape more inclusive workplaces, and providing data that can improve Canada’s healthcare ecosystem. Healthpartners.ca/network/
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