![]() ![]() Just as you have a support system at home, try to build a support system at work, Spencer says - or at least one person you can call during an accident to say, “Please get my spare clothes or emergency kit from my desk.” You may decide to tell coworkers about your condition as well. Keep in mind that you may need to provide a note from your doctor, so consider having that on hand during your conversation. You can also discuss other accommodations that will help you perform your job. Talk to human resources about whether FMLA applies to your situation. In some situations, your job can be protected while you take extended leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). “You may not need it, but you don’t want to wait until the last minute.” “You should speak to your employer about family medical leave before you have symptoms,” Spencer says. When discussing Crohn’s with your employer, explain that you may need to take an unexpected leave of absence from work if your symptoms flare up. How much information you share is up to you. While it may seem embarrassing or difficult to talk about Crohn’s disease, it’s generally a good idea to have at least one confidant at work, Spencer says. ![]() In turn, you must be able to perform the basic duties of the job, either with no accommodation or with reasonable accommodations. ![]() Allowing a modified work schedule or telecommuting when symptoms are active.Moving your workstation or office closer to a bathroom. ![]() Some examples of reasonable accommodations for Crohn’s symptoms, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, include: Under the ADA, employers are required to provide “reasonable accommodations” - that do not create undue hardship for the company - and if requested, to help employees with a disability. “The most promising thing for Crohn’s patients was that in 2008, the Americans with Disabilities Act was amended to include major bodily functions, including bowel and digestive functions,” explains Jacquelyn Spencer, the manager of educational resources at the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. The ADA, which defines disability as a condition that significantly impairs a “major life activity,” offers protection for workers with Crohn’s disease, according to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. For people with Crohn’s, managing these symptoms at work can pose particular challenges.Īccording to a 2020 study on the impact of IBD in the workplace, people with the disease reported needing time to go to medical appointments during work hours, easy access to a bathroom, allowances for breaks, and flexible schedules.įor some, though, workplace accommodations can be hard to come by, which can take a toll on performance: A review published in September 2021 in the journal Disability and Rehabilitation found that many people with IBD continue to experience challenges at work, such as difficulties related to career planning and advancement, work performance, and managing physical and cognitive symptoms.īy preparing for flare-ups and knowing your workplace rights - which are protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - you can return to productivity levels that work for both your Crohn’s disease and your career. Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that can cause gastrointestinal issues, such as abdominal cramping and diarrhea, along with other symptoms, such as fatigue and joint pain. ![]()
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