Work and Industry has been identified as an emerging niche in the Centennial Vision and as a key practice area of the 21st century. Despite this emphasis, the Work and Industry Special Interest Section of the American Occupational Therapy Association has the lowest membership of all eleven special interest sections. When contemplating the occupation of work, it is well-known that work has been a part of the occupational therapy profession since its founding days. Work is a part of most adults’ lives and when illness or injury is encountered, work is most likely affected. Occupational therapists who practice in work and industry have a unique view of returning a client back to work after illness or injury and assisting employers in the prevention of injuries in the workplace. Work and Industry practitioners can become a role model for occupational therapists in other practice areas to facilitate the integration of work into daily care of clients. In addition, many practice areas are suitable for asserting the occupation of work, but practitioners do not move beyond activities of daily living or instrumental activities of daily living. Occupational therapists must not forget to include work into the treatment of clients and we must educate our students about the importance of this occupation.
