The Blog

Supporting employees with chronic pain.

5 ways to support employees dealing with chronic pain.

Just under 28 million adults are affected by chronic pain. Whilst many people experience physical pain at some point in their lives, for some, it can be debilitating.

Molly Woollett

24/07/24

The Blog

Supporting employees with chronic pain.

5 ways to support employees dealing with chronic pain.

Just under 28 million adults are affected by chronic pain. Whilst many people experience physical pain at some point in their lives, for some, it can be debilitating.

24/07/24

Introduction

What is chronic pain?

Chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts longer than 3 months, employees with this level of pain can suffer from fatigue, depression, anxiety, disrupted sleep, lack of focus, as well as having a difficult work-life balance due to the extra challenges. Employees may experience great difficulty in completing their tasks, especially if they need to take a lot of time off, this can also lead to a fear of loosing their job, resulting in a detrimental effect on the employee’s mental health.

5 ways to support employees

Occupational health physiotherapy plays a pivotal role in managing chronic pain within the workplace. Our occupational health physiotherapists are trained to assess, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal conditions that contribute to chronic pain. They work closely with employees to develop personalised treatment plans that address their specific needs and promote long-term health and wellness. As an employer, there are many ways you can support employees, here are 5 of the most important things you can do to help them manage their pain at work.

 

Communicate

  • It’s important to have a range of communication channels available for employees as it helps them feel more comfortable speaking about potential issues they’re facing. Anything an employee says about their condition should be met with compassion and kindness.

Adapt the Role

  • Keeping the individual at work should be a priority, speak to the person about what they feel comfortable doing at work and adapt their role to suit their current needs. Being flexible about taking time off for medical appointments and having more regular breaks will also be appreciated and help the employee feel valued.

Correct Workstation

  • Whether the employee is working from home or in an office, it is vital that their workstation is set up to ensure their body is well supported. Whether that be their desk, chair, or lighting, for example. Every condition has different needs, so be sure to check what will work best for the employee.

Ensure Adequate Training

  • Training senior staff and line managers to have a better understanding of what chronic pain is and how it can affect an individual, can help reduce the stigma in the workplace, as well as help you to identify the correct support.

Be Aware of External Support

  • While it’s great to have a supportive working environment, it’s important to be knowledgeable and guide employees towards other avenues outside the workplace such as occupational health, CBT, and NHS resources as well as private.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, it’s all about being knowledgeable and aware. Educating yourself on chronic pain is the first step to being open and flexible. Having a wide range of communication channels is essential, as well as helping the employee to continue working by being flexible and aware of all external resources they may find supportive. Through the implementation of occupational health physiotherapy and other supportive measures, employers can help their employees manage chronic pain, improve their quality of life, and enhance overall workplace productivity.

 

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