A new national poll by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation reveals that chronic health conditions are taking a major hidden toll on the U.S. workforce’s lives and productivity. The survey found that chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease are affecting employees across the country, yet many workers are managing these conditions without disclosing them to their employers.
The Hidden Impact of Chronic Conditions
According to the survey, 58% of employees report having a chronic physical health condition, yet 60% of these individuals have not disclosed their health conditions to their employer. This lack of transparency could mean that many workers are managing serious health issues while trying to meet the demands of their job, often without the accommodations that would benefit them..
The poll also found that 76% of employees with chronic conditions need to manage their health during work hours. Managing these conditions can require medication, monitoring, or attending appointments — disruptions that are often unseen by coworkers and supervisors. Despite this, more than a third (36%) of employees with chronic conditions have delayed seeking medical care in the past year to avoid missing work.
Stigma and Career Challenges
The stigma surrounding chronic conditions is another significant barrier. Many employees report feeling uncomfortable discussing their health challenges at work, which has a profound impact on their careers. 33% of employees with chronic conditions say they have missed out on work opportunities, whether additional hours or projects, because of their health. Additionally, 25% report missing out on opportunities for promotion, and 21% have received negative feedback or poor performance reviews as a result of their chronic health conditions.
As Gillian SteelFisher, Director of the Harvard Opinion Research Program, noted, “Though employers may think they know their employees’ needs, poll results suggest there are widespread and frequently hidden challenges facing workers with chronic conditions. Workers commonly feel stigmatized by their conditions, and this can have a profound effect on both their work and their health. To help retain employees in a tight job market, employers may want to have more conversations with employees about ways that they can make work ‘work’ for everyone.”
The Added Burden of Caregiving
A lot of employees are juggling their own chronic health issues while also taking care of family members dealing with similar problems. A survey found that 33% of employees had helped out family members with chronic conditions in the past year, and 45% of them often did this during work hours. Caregiving can be time-consuming and stressful. About 37% of caregivers said they have a hard time taking time off from work.
For some, the demands of caregiving have led them to cut back on their work hours. In fact, 25% of employees who are either dealing with their own chronic conditions or caring for family members have had to adjust their schedules to manage these responsibilities. This extra pressure makes balancing work and personal health needs even trickier.
The Need for Paid Leave and Supportive Policies
A particularly concerning finding from the survey is the lack of paid leave available to employees managing chronic conditions or caregiving for family members. 12% of employees report having no paid leave, and 14% have run out of paid leave in the past year due to their health or caregiving responsibilities. This lack of support forces many employees to choose between taking care of their health or maintaining their income.
Brian C. Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, emphasized the importance of employer support: “There is a major opportunity for employers to play a greater role in supporting employees who are managing their own or their family’s chronic conditions. Not only will this improve the health of employees and their families, but it will also provide employers a way to distinguish themselves, as well as improve retention and reduce absenteeism.”
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