Abstract
As we commemorate the 35th anniversary of WORK: A Journal of Prevention, Assessment & Rehabilitation in 2025, I am filled with pride reflecting on our remarkable journey. From humble beginnings to becoming a leading voice in the entire scope of the occupation of work, WORK has consistently pushed boundaries and fostered innovation in our field. Let me share with you 35 compelling milestones and achievements that showcase our journal’s rich history and impact.
Our foundation and growth
WORK began its journey in 1990, founded on the vision of advancing workplace health and well-being Our inaugural editorial board included luminaries like Stover H. Snook, Ann Allart Wilcock, and Florence S. Cromwell Gary Kielhofner’s introduction led to our initial partnership with Andover Press WORK was acquired by Butterworth and then Elsevier IOS Press became our publisher in 1999, marking a new era of growth In November 2023, Sage acquired IOS Press, opening exciting new horizons
Editorial excellence and diversity
Valerie Rice, Nancy MacRae and Linda Niemeyer have provided invaluable leadership as editorial board members since 1990 Our editorial board currently has over 80 members We take pride in our gender diversity, with 57% of board members identifying as women Our authors and editorial board members represent countries from all around the globe Annual editorial board meetings ensure consistent quality and innovation Dedicated team members like Axana Scherbeijn and Lindsey Sousa support our mission
Impact and reach
Our current Impact Factor of 1.7 reflects our growing influence The journal is indexed in all the major databases, including PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science We’ve published over 6000 articles since inception Annually, our articles receive over 600,000 views Our selective peer-review process maintains high standards with a 39% acceptance rate The International Ergonomics Association’s endorsement validates our commitment to excellence
Evolution and innovation
By our fifth year, we expanded to include both themed and non-themed issues 1995 marked growth to six issues annually and we\enlargethispage 2pt currently publish 12 issues annually Special issues, such as Work in Israel with guest editor Asnat Bar-Haim Erez, Working from Home with guest editors Kermit Davis and Susan Kotowski, and Work, Health, and Meaningful Occupation in the Age of Climate Change with guest editors Teresa Stock, Kelly Isabelle DeMarco and Carol Myers showcase our broad scope We’re proud to have published several columns over the years, such as Lynn Shaw’s Equitable Work Transitions and Mobility column, which advances decent work for all, and Leonard Matheson’s Bridging the Gap: Hospital to Workplace, which empowers rehabilitation professionals to facilitate successful work transitions Our Learn at WORK series evolved from webinars to podcasts, embracing modern communication We are committed to driving positive change through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are taking proactive steps, such as ensuring gender diversity within our editorial board and highlighting research that aligns with SDGs
Notable contributions
Our most cited 2023 article focused on remote work during COVID-19 We’ve published over 250 articles on COVID-19, demonstrating our rapid response to emerging workplace challenges The 2001 article Return-to work: The importance of human interactions and organizational structures by Friesen, Yassi and Cooper remains influential Key submissions peaked at 1,463 in 2021, showing strong engagement Humans, workplace, psychology and pain are popular keywords for articles Understanding the stigma of mental illness in employment by Krupa, Kirsh, Cockburn and Gewurtz was a landmark article in 2009 We’ve had several bloggers like Dr. Jenny Long writing about vision and Dr. Amy Wagenfeld writing about nature.
Personal touches
The journal’s cover features two of my children, Ariel and Josh, symbolizing our focus on future generations The journal’s distinctive color scheme was inspired by a colleague’s front door – a reminder that inspiration can come from unexpected places Our commitment to scholarly excellence is matched by our personal approach to being an author friendly journal Our postings on social media amplifies knowledge translation
As we celebrate this 35th anniversary, I’m grateful for every contributor, reader, and supporter who has made WORK a trusted evidence-based resource. Together, we’ve built more than a journal – we’ve created a community dedicated to improving workplace well-being globally.
With gratitude,
Founding Editor,
Occupational therapist & ergonomist
blogs.bu.edu/kjacobs/