Sometimes working with a medical condition can be a challenge, right? Whether it's back pain from sitting in a chair all day, diabetes that requires you to eat and take medication on time, or joint pain that causes your limbs to hurt after a long day of work, you may be wondering, "How am I going to manage this?" This is not just your problem. There are many people around the world, including in Sri Lanka, who work with long-term health conditions. So don't worry. Today, let's talk about how you can successfully move forward without letting it get in the way of your work.
What is this chronic condition?
Simply put, a long-term illness, or as we call it in English, a chronic condition , is a health condition that lasts for a long time, perhaps a lifetime. These do not get better in two or three days like a common cold. You need to continue to treat it, make lifestyle changes, and learn to live with the condition.
Here are some of the common situations we see in our country:
- Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus)
- Hypertension or High Blood Pressure
- Arthritis
- Asthma
- Chronic back and neck pain
- Mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety
- Heart conditions
Having a situation like this doesn't mean you're weak or that you can't do the job. With the right management and support , anyone can do a successful job.
How does a situation like this affect your job?
Imagine, Kamal has diabetes. He works in a very busy office. If he doesn't eat on time at lunch, his sugar level may drop (Hypoglycemia), causing dizziness, sweating, etc. This directly affects his work.
Let's take another example. Sitara works in an IT company. Due to her arthritis, her finger joints start to hurt when she types continuously. This can slow down her work speed.
These kinds of problems are different for everyone. For some:
- Fatigue: Due to illness, a person may feel tired more quickly than usual.
- Pain: Joint pain and back pain can make it difficult to stay in one position for long periods of time.
- Having to see the doctor frequently: You may have to take frequent leave to go to clinics and get tests.
- Medication Schedule: Since you need to take your medication at specific times of the day, you have to set aside time for that during work.
- Difficulty concentrating: Some medical conditions and medications can make it difficult to stay focused and work.
These problems are not your fault. They are a natural part of the illness. The important thing is to find solutions to these.
Can I get help from my workplace? - Yes, I can!
Many people think that if they tell the office about their illness, they will lose their job or be ostracized. But that is not the truth. In the modern world, good organizations have realized that a healthy employee is a valuable asset to the organization . Therefore, providing reasonable accommodations to employees is a win-win situation.
There are some small changes and accommodations you can request from your organization to help you manage your condition and get things done better. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Illness/discomfort | Possible problem at the workplace | Facilities/solutions that can be requested |
|---|---|---|
| Arthritis | Difficulty typing, standing, and walking for long periods of time. | An ergonomic chair, a special keyboard, frequent breaks, and reduced standing work. |
| Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) | The need to control blood sugar levels. | Timely breaks to eat and take medication, a private space to check blood sugar, and space to keep a snack handy in case your sugar gets low. |
| Asthma | Exacerbation of the disease due to dust, strong odors, smoke, etc. | Keep the workplace clean, limit the use of strong perfumes, and provide an air purifier if necessary. |
| Depression / Anxiety | Difficulty concentrating, excessive stress, difficulty with social relationships. | Flexible working hours, opportunity to work from home, written work assignments, low-pressure environment. |
| Chronic Back Pain | Staying in the same position (especially sitting) for a long time. | A special chair that is comfortable for the back, taking breaks to get up and walk around once an hour, and avoiding heavy lifting. |
How do you talk to your employer about this?
This is the biggest challenge for many people. It's normal to feel intimidated to talk to your boss about this. But if you talk in the right way, with a plan, you can achieve good results.
Do these things before speaking:
1. Talk to your doctor: First, meet with your doctor and talk about your condition and how it will affect your job. Ask him or her what accommodations you need at work. You may also be able to get a medical report or letter to give to the company.
2. Schedule a time in advance: It's not appropriate to discuss something as important as this while running around or in a crowded place. Ask your boss for 15-20 minutes to talk privately.
3. Start positively: Don't start the conversation with a complaint. Start the conversation with a positive statement like, "Sir/Madam, I would really appreciate it if you could help me do my job better and more efficiently."
4. Suggest solutions along with the problem: Instead of simply saying, "I have a backache," suggest solutions along with, "I have a backache, so it's hard to sit still. If I were allowed to get up and walk around for five minutes once an hour, I could get things done without pain."
5. Be honest and open: Be honest about your situation. But don't go into unnecessary details or seek sympathy. Focus only on how it affects your work, on a professional level, and on the solutions to it.
Remember, your goal should be to find a solution that is beneficial to both the company and you. If you are a valuable employee, any good employer who wants to keep you will listen to you.
Take-Home Message
- It's normal to have a chronic condition. You are not alone.
- Your health is the most important thing. It takes precedence over work.
- You have the right to request reasonable accommodations from your workplace. This will also help you increase your efficiency.
- Talk to your doctor to understand exactly what your needs are.
- Prepare well before talking to your boss. Focus not only on the problems, but also on the solutions.
- Remember, a healthy and happy employee is a great asset to any organization.
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