Talking to your employer about your heath can be a daunting and difficult task. Whether you are struggling with your physical or mental health, talking about it isn’t always easy.
If your health is affecting your workplace wellbeing, talking to your employer about it can allow you to get the support you need.
Why Is It Important To Talk To My Employer About My Health?
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to talking to your employer about your health. The decision to talk to your employer about your health is completely up to you.
Some health conditions can be easily managed and do not affect your day to day life or workplace wellbeing.
Although some health issues don’t affect your workplace wellbeing, they may still be difficult to deal with on your own. Talking to someone including your employer or colleague can help you deal with it.
Other health problems can unfortunately affect your work life and should be discussed with your employer to improve your wellbeing within the workplace.
Talking openly to your employer about your health can often feel as if a weight has been lifted off your shoulders. It can also improve your wellbeing within the workplace and overall.
What Are The Benefits Of Talking To My Employer About My Health?
There are many benefits to being open and honest with your employer about your health and workplace wellbeing.
Once your employer is aware of your health issues, they can take reasonable steps to accommodate any needs you may have. For example, it will be easier for you to get time for medical appointments during work hours. It may also be easier to change your working pattern or hours once your employer is aware of your health issues.
Also, your employer and colleagues will know how to help if you have a medical emergency whilst you are at work.
How Do I Talk To My Employer About My Health?
Before discussing your health with your employer, you might consider talking to your GP or a health professional about how your health can affect your work.
It may also be a good idea to prepare materials to give to your employer to help them better understand your health condition. This way, they can think about how best to help you within the work place.
When you are ready to talk about your health with your employer, request a one-to-one meeting as this will give you time to prepare what you are going to say. It will also minimise the chance of someone interrupting your discussion.
When discussing your health, be open and clear. You don’t have to go into detail about your health issues, just enough so that your employer understands your condition enough to be able to help you or respond in an emergency.
Outline how your health may affect your workplace wellbeing and your ability to work but try not to dwell on what you cannot do. Finally, prepare to answer any questions that your employer may have regarding your health.
What If I Am Treated Differently?
Many people fear that talking about their health at work may result in them being viewed or treated differently by their employer and colleagues.
Fortunately, it is highly unlikely that you will be treated differently. Your employer has legal duties under the Equality Act to not discriminate and to make reasonable adjustments if needed.
Others worry that by disclosing their ill-health to their employer, it may lead to redundancy or the loss of their job. By law, your employer cannot make you redundant or pressure you into resigning just because you have disclosed your health problems.
For most people, talking about their health at work does not change how they are treated. In fact, most employers and colleagues will want to understand and help. Most people find that talking about their health with their employer relieves stress and improves their workplace wellbeing.
Get In Touch With Wellbeing Experts
Hopefully this has given you some helpful advice on how to talk to your employer about your physical or mental health and workplace wellbeing.
If you’d like to have a chat about any of the above, or you are interested in how we can help you improve your workplace wellbeing, you can contact us here or call us on 0808 178 0748.
Here at Wellspace, we have a dedicated team of health and wellbeing professionals who can offer lots of ideas and advice on workplace wellbeing and many other health related issues and we look forward to hearing from you!
