Working with a Chronic Health Condition: Is Choosing Not to Disclose the Same as Hiding Information?

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Disability Studies
• Psychology

Background:

• Hiding personal health information can negatively impact psychological well-being.
• Workplace disability disclosure research often overlooks the distinction between nondisclosure and active hiding.
• Understanding these differences is crucial for supporting employees with disabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate between nondisclosure and active hiding of health information in the workplace.
• To identify factors associated with these decisions, including workplace support and job impacts.
• To explore the psychological and practical implications of these decisions for workers with disabilities.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey assessed disclosure and hiding behaviors among 695 workers with disabilities.
• Multinomial regression analyses examined associations with demographics, work context, perceived support, and job outcomes.
• The study focused on decisions regarding health information disclosure to supervisors.

Main Results:

• Workers hiding health information were more likely to have mental health/cognitive conditions and report negative workplace perceptions.
• Those who had disclosed their condition reported greater workplace support.
• The active hiding group experienced more absenteeism, reduced productivity, and job disruptions.

Conclusions:

• A significant number of workers with disabilities actively hide their health status from supervisors.
• Differentiating between nondisclosure and hiding is essential for effective workplace interventions.
• Improving understanding and support for disclosure decisions can enhance work inclusivity and sustainability for employees with disabilities.