Holding down a full-time job while balancing family, friends, and social obligations isn’t easy for anyone.
Add a chronic physical problem to the mix and you can see how difficult it can be to get it all done to the best of your ability.
For those who have health problems that limit their abilities, sap their energy, or strain their financial resources (a major stressor for most of us even under the best of conditions), it’s extra important to have an employer who understands their unique struggles and seeks to help relieve some of the burden.
Relief comes in many forms. For some it might be something as simple as offering flexibility so they can attend to their physical needs and go to doctors’ appointments without worrying that it’s putting their job in jeopardy.
Others may need guidance in other ways. Putting them in touch with counselors, psychologists, or professionals who specialize in treating or teaching others to manage their medical conditions can make all the difference.
In the end, whether it’s cancer, heart disease, emphysema, or diabetes, your employees need to feel supported at work, where they spend the majority of their waking hours.
Talk to them about their needs and ways you can help them manage their conditions. Perhaps some of their workload can be divided among several of their colleagues temporarily, or arrangements can be made for them to work from home as needed.
Not only can you lower their stress levels and thus make it easier for them to deal with the physical, emotional, and mental strains brought about by medical problems, but your moral support and concern for their well being is something that gets picked up on by other staff members.
They, in turn, will appreciate your sensitivity to your employees’ needs and value your corporation’s focus on the people whose efforts can make or break the success of your business.