How to Support an Employee Who Has Chronic Pain

 Thu 29 July 2021

How to Support an Employee Who Has Chronic Pain

Do you know if any of your employees experience chronic pain? Chronic pain is increasingly common but it can be difficult to talk about, especially at work. As a manager, you need to be ready to listen, have a conversation, and support your employees — while not pressuring anyone into disclosing medical information they’re not comfortable sharing. If you’re unsure of how to help, that’s OK: you can simply start by asking what they need from you and the organization, assuring them that you value their health and safety above all. Be prepared to offer flexible work arrangements that accommodate their physical needs, and direct them to any resources your company may offer to people experiencing chronic health conditions. And if you’re unsure of what resources are available, you can always ask HR and get back to your employee. Chronic pain is a complex issue with biological, social, and psychological elements; effective leadership in this context — and in most contexts — ultimately comes down to listening to and learning from employees.

This tip is adapted from “When Someone on Your Team Has Chronic Pain,” by Duygu Biricik Gulseren et al.