remember that comparisons between
included depression, anxiety disorders,
people with similar conditions should
arthritis, diabetes, hearing impairment,
not be made as all individuals are
Crohn’s disease, colitis, blood disorders
different and their condition and its
and cancer.
treatment is individual to them.
Disclosure
These workshops were undertaken to
One interesting theme that arose was
get common views of the effects on
non-disclosure, i.e., not declaring a
individuals and work. Galen of
health condition within the workplace.
Pergamon 172 AD, a Greek physician,
It is estimated that one in three
surgeon, and philosopher, stated that
employees with a long-term health
employment is nature’s physician, and
condition has not discussed it with their
is essential to human happiness. Whilst
employer. The reasons a person may
we may not all agree with this entirely,
decide not to disclose to their manager
most would accept that work is good for
are multifactorial. They may feel that
our mental wellbeing, giving us a sense
they can cope and will disclose if they
of purpose and connection. Taking into
need to, they may have had frequent
account that all individuals that took
changes of manager and the opportunity
part in this study were in active
hadn’t arisen, feelings of
employment, it was useful to
embarrassment, feeling they won’t be
understand what impact conditions had
believed and fear of the consequences,
and what support would enable
may be some of the reasons for non-
individuals to remain in work optimally.
disclosure. Without disclosing, the
Disclosure in this study was voluntary
employer is unable to make adjustments
and confidentiality was maintained.
or provide support potentially leading to
Examples of hidden disabilities declared
Of those people who reported a disability:
48% have mobility difficulties (1 in 2) 36% experience stamina/breathing/fatigue difficulties (1 in 3) 27% experience mental health difficulties (1 in 4) 6% experience memory problems (1 in 6) 13% experience hearing loss (1 in 8) 12% have a sight impairment (1 in 8) 14% have learning difficulties (1 in 7)
Figure 1
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