Suck It Up and Stay on the Grind: Ethical Considerations Surrounding Trust, Chronic Pain, and the American Workplace

The United States has long been scrutinized for its lack of accessible social services, including access to quality health care and employee leave accommodations. Studies show that over 24 percent of US adults suffer from chronic pain, with 9 percent of adults indicating that their pain hinders their life or work activities almost daily. As employer-based coverage remains the most common method for obtaining health insurance, many of these people must continue working in order to maintain their access to affordable medical care. Additionally, a lack of standardized medical leave policies creates an environment where workers may face feelings of ambivalence as they struggle to find a balance between needing their jobs for the benefits while also not receiving enough benefits or support for their needs. This reality can be counterproductive to healing and recovery, mental health, and overall well-being, as well as productivity. The state of these US structural systems and their operations under capitalism also create situations that are ripe for distrust, skepticism, and increased potential for further disparities. This article discusses chronic pain and trust in the context of the US workplace and health care systems, contextualizing historical and modern factors that may impact the decision-making processes among those experiencing chronic pain. Understanding this framing may create opportunities for health care workers, employers, and policymakers to reimagine their approaches toward providing support or achieving employee/patient buy-in.