This morning, I went to a meeting of the Association for Career Professionals – Boston to hear the executive director, Brad Harrington, of Boston College Carroll School of Management, Center for Work & Family, talk about the Protean Career.
Huh? Well for those not up to date on career theory, this is a model that academics have created to explain the fact that people no longer have ” linear” (e.g., you start at IBM and end at IBM) careers. Instead there are switchbacks, cutbacks and even time outs. Does this sound familiar? I think so. We, in the chronic illness world, know about careers that change, stagnate and with persistence, grow again.
I co-authored an article about this that was published in Organizational Dynamics last Spring (email me, Rosalind@keepworkinggirlfriend.com, and I’ll mail you a copy .) The piece describes how a chronic illness is a developmental issue (it impacts how we develop and the way it affects us is influenced by where we are in our development) and a chronic illness invariably affects how a person views work and career. The article also explains how, if the issues are properly addressed, organizations can retain and maximize these valued employees.
Needless to say, this “hot topic” didn’t get attention. (My mother emailed me saying she was proud.) And, here I am, listening to a speech on Work & Family and, once again, the issue of chronic illness isn’t on the radar. Duh? Working moms are addressed (they’ve been a major factor for a few decades) and elder care is noticed (articles have been appearing for the last decade on how this impacts an employee’s productivity) but no one talks about the 125 m. people who live with chronic illness. Something like 40% of the workforce live with at least one chronic condition.
I don’t know how to conclude this post. Where do you go with a thought that you’ve said before and it seems, that no one is listening. There is no conclusion, just hope and belief that at some point, people will have this on their radar because they can’t avoid it. And, then they’ll pay attention.
Amen.
Rosalind
Julie says
It wasn’t that long ago the working mothers, religious minorities, racial minorities, and so many others didn’t have a voice in the general public’s year and now they’re being heard. Keep at it Rosalind. You’re trying to spread a good message and I have no doubt that one day we’ll be heard. We’re not there yet, but we’re making progress. And I’m looking forward to reading your article. I’ll email you.
Rosalind says
Thanks, Julie. Let’s all keep up the “good fight”.
EJ says
Rosalind, there are 125 M of us listening! “No conclusion…just hope and belief” is how I live my chronic illness, so it’s how I’d choose to share the message. Thanks for doing the same.
Carol Bradley Bursack says
Rosalind, my son, now 26, suffers from several chronic illnesses which started when he was a small child. He’s still trying to get through college. I, too, have RA, osteo and migraines, but I keep on working. Life would be easier for all of us with chronic health issues – especially the kind people can’t see – if all people we sensitive to these issues. As with elder caregivng issues, which arevery slowly gaining notice, chronic health issues will eventually get more notice. But, how long will it take until there is real understanding? None of us know. Meanwhile, know you aren’t alone.
Rosalind Joffe says
Good to hear that, EJ. Carol, I know that I’m not alone and that we who live in this world know this. Your son is doing what he has to do by getting through college. I only hope he can figure out work that can give him some satisfaction and earn a reasonable living. And, I only hope for understanding as long as it helps us work and live useful lives. Warmly, Rosalind