Chronic health conditions take a hidden toll on U.S. workforce

Employees managing chronic conditions at work with little support: ©Vitalii Vodolazskyi - stock.adobe.com

Chronic health conditions are significantly affecting U.S. employees' well-being and productivity, yet many workers are reluctant to disclose their health struggles to their employers, according to a national poll by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation.

The survey, conducted among a representative sample of U.S. employees, found that 76% of those with chronic conditions—such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, and asthma—must manage their health during work hours. However, 60% of these workers have not formally disclosed their conditions to their employer.

The poll, U.S. Employee Perspectives on Managing Chronic Conditions in the Workplace, surveyed 1,010 full- and part-time employees at organizations with at least 50 workers. It found that 58% of U.S. employees have at least one chronic physical health condition, and many are forced to adjust their health care around their jobs—sometimes at a significant personal cost. More than a third (36%) reported skipping medical appointments or delaying care to avoid workplace conflicts. Additionally, 49% of those with chronic conditions said they felt unable to take time off or even short breaks when needed due to their health.

Workplace stigma and missed opportunities

The survey also highlights the professional consequences faced by employees with chronic conditions. A third (33%) reported missing out on opportunities for more hours or projects due to their health. One in four (25%) said they lost opportunities for promotion, and 21% reported receiving negative feedback or bad performance reviews as a result of their conditions.

“Though employers may think they know their employees’ needs, poll results suggest there are widespread and frequently hidden challenges facing workers with chronic conditions,” said survey lead Gillian SteelFisher, director of the Harvard Opinion Research Program and principal research scientist at Harvard Chan School. “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 burden of family health needs

Beyond managing their own health, many employees also face the added challenge of caring for family members with chronic conditions. One-third (33%) of employees reported assisting family members in managing their conditions in the past year, with nearly half (45%) having to do so during work hours. More than a third (37%) found it difficult to take time off for caregiving, and 25% of those managing their own or family members' chronic conditions had to reduce their work hours.

The lack of employer support further compounds these challenges. One in four employees managing chronic health conditions—either their own or those of a family member—said they had no paid leave (12%) or had exhausted their paid leave (14%) due to medical needs.

Employers have an opportunity to lead

The poll suggests that many employers are falling short in providing adequate workplace support. Less than half of employees (44%) said their employer is very supportive of allowing breaks or paid leave to manage health conditions. Even fewer—37%—said their employer supports flexible schedules, and only 27% felt their employer was very supportive of remote work options.

“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,” said Brian Castrucci, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation. “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.”