A reporter was interviewing me about chronic illness and working. She was very surprised when I said, “The single most important factor that helps a chronically illl person continue to work is to work in a flexible environment.”
She asked me what “evidence” I have to support this. (Have you noticed how popular that word has become lately? It seem that it’s only true if it’s “evidence-based”.) I responded that I have anecdotal evidence — I’ve seen it myself and heard it from others.
No. I haven’t found any research linking people who continue to work while living with a chronic illness and the flexibility of their workplace (have you?) Unfortunately, it’s not something that seems to be studied. (Anyone want to do this — or fund me to research this?)
I told the reporter that I’d written about this issue numerous times (in my book, Women, Work and Autoimmune Disease:Keep Working, Girlfriend! and more recently, this post, Who Needs a Flexible Workplace?) I’m not an expert nor a researcher. Just a believer.
In the meantime, we’ll rely on our experience. And, the studies that support flexibility for all workers (Making Flex Time a Win-Win).
FYI – I’ve just read a great book on “reinventing” your career, New Job, New You by Alexandra Levit. I like that she offers good stories of people who’ve done this and has solid tips. Although it doesn’t touch on chronic illness issues, you can do the translation.
When I’m working with clients who are changing careers or even their jobs, I encourage them to make flexibility a top priority. I’ve noticed that this isn’t obvious to those with new disease onset. It’s hard to imagine how chronic disease waxes and wanes, requires periodic doctors appointments often during the work day and can have different symptoms that come and go. But live with disease for a few years and you can see that this is one unpredictable beast that can upset any schedule.
Do you have any reason to think that this isn’t important? I’d love to hear it.
Yes. We must have easy access to high quality health care. But just as importantly, we must be able to find a decent job at a living wage that allows us to take care of our health. And the code word here is flexibility.
Cali Williams Yost says
Yes, there is loads of evidence, unfortunately it’s siloed in the work+family sphere and hasn’t made it’s way out into the broader world where it applies to all work+”life” issues, including chronic illness. Families and Work Institute just published a study that I blogged about re. health, wellness and the role of work+life fit and flexibility. http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/cali-yost/new-worklife-flex-normal/employee-health-wellness-no-longer-optional-benefit-strategi
Keep up your important work putting chronic illness on the radar screen.
Ricky Buchanan says
Seems to me that it’s common sense… if your workplace isn’t flexible then you can only really commit to doing as much as you know you can do on your worst days, because you don’t know in advance which days are going to be “worst” ones. If your working is flexible then you can shift things around and your average amount of work will be a lot more than a “worst case scenario” projection most of the time.
This would apply to all kinds of flexibility too – flexibility of time, flexibility of place (working from home), flexibility of methods of communication (email/phone/etc.), and so on. And of course flexibility of your co-workers to accomodate you.
RosalindJoffe says
Cali – I was hoping someone like you would read this and let me — and others know about it. Thanks! Now I know were “else” to look. Rosalind
RosalindJoffe says
Ricky – As always, you’re right on point. Flexibility is much more than the obvious. Attitude is key!
Joana SWOhio says
I agree so much! I’m fortunate to work in healthcare where there is a flex policy, not only for hours worked but also an “emergency window” for medical needs, family needs, etc. We can use this once per pay pay period. We can also do a “schedule change” that allows flexing and making up hours for medical appointments and such. I have chronic migraines (at least 2 per month) so this is a great perk! We also have FMLA. These things enable me to work and be pretty optimally productive.
Rosalind says
It’s good you realize that you’re fortunate because that’s not true for all healthcare situations. Keep that job!
Poursmouth says
You are now talking health reform will be changed soon; we trust that Obama and his staff do what is necessary for the welfare of families. This reform must be appropriate because many families depend on it, the health system a long time that is weak and patients suffering from cancer, chronic fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s, diabetes, chronic pain, chronic illness, chronic anxiety among many other diseases, Need proper medical attention, according to the measure should be findrxonline for 80% of patients with these diseases.
Jason David Reid says
In my experience unpredictable is the operative word when it comes to chronic illness. I work in television news where long crazy hours are the norm and juggling my workload is not always easy.
On the plus side, my workplace is always keen to help. Unfortunately though, as much as they try to understand, very few people can really grasp the concept of chronic illness. To them, you are either sick or you are well. If you are sick then you rest and you get better. The idea that someone is ALWAYS sick (just a matter of degrees) is outside of most people’s frame of reference.
For me the more flexible my work schedule, the more I can actually get work done.
Rosalind says
It’s really true that flex is key, isn’t it? I worked in media production in my first career (I’ve had many) and found it was an impossible life even if I loved it. Funny thing is that most people think that all they need is a supportive workplace and that’ll do it. But in the end, you still have to get the work done. And in the time frame that makes sense for that business. Does it matter if they understand? It sounds as if you need to “work” on how to make this work better for you. Am I right?
Jason David Reid says
Absolutely right Rosalind. I’m actually talking with my HR manager and VP about how to possibly rearrange some of my responsibilities. Support is nice but as you say it doesn’t help get the work done.