Chronic Pain in the Workplace

Do you have a coworker who experiences chronic pain due to a health condition? The number of employees with chronic pain will increase dramatically as the workforce ages. Often invisible, some pain-producing conditions can be easy to dismiss or overlook in our daily interactions.

To support a coworker with a pain condition, do not mistake slower movement for lack of motivation or mental ability. Do not associate chronic pain or conditions with unreliability on projects or team endeavors. Those with challenging health conditions are often highly adaptive and efficient, often have great ability to support other workers with special needs, and are experienced at creating solutions for themselves. Consider these special abilities as you learn from and team with them.

Keith Stein | 7/26/2018