For Employers & Co-Workers
Endometriosis is reported to cost more than $6-7 billion in healthcare, absenteeism and lost social and economic participation. Employers can play an important role in helping employees better manage their symptoms and provide a supportive workplace environment.
An employee with endometriosis may be managing significant pain on a regular basis and/or undergoing treatment where they are required to attend multiple medical appointments for a period of time. Simply acknowledging the disease can go a long way to improving the health outcomes of people living with endometriosis.
Simple steps you can take to support your employees with endometriosis:
1. Inform yourself about endometriosis
2. Build a supportive workplace culture that encourages employees to share their health issues more confidently.
3. Start a conversation.
4. Be mindful not to ask for more information than necessary. It is not your role to evaluate whether a worker has a chronic disease such as endometriosis.
5. Always protect the privacy of your employees.
6. Allow employees to have an overarching medical certificate.
7. Put in place a support plan with their treating doctor.
8. Develop, implement and promote policies and procedures in relation to chronic diseases, in consultation with employees and health and safety representatives
How to create a comfortable workspace:
1. Discuss flexible working arrangements.
2. Allow access to facilities to warm up a heat pack or fill a hot water bottle.
3. Provide the option of a sit/stand desk if working in an office.
4. Provide a stool/chair if the job requires long periods of standing.
5. Allow the employee to leave their workstation for regular breaks.
6. Provide flexibility on uniform requirements to assist flare-ups.
7. Ensure the employee can access parking close to their place of work.
8. Allow for changes in shift patterns or start and finish times.
9. Agree to a graduated return to work plan post-surgery.
10. Check whether any job modifications can be implemented.