Managing Employability and Inclusion for Workers with Chronic Illness: Sustainable Work Participation

Area of Science:

• Social Sciences
• Health Sciences
• Occupational Health

Background:

• Employment is crucial for social inclusion and well-being.
• Individuals with chronic illnesses encounter significant barriers to employment.
• There is a need for research on employment challenges for those with chronic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze barriers to employment access and maintenance for people with chronic illnesses.
• To investigate how inclusive employment policies affect labor market participation.

Main Methods:

• Study involved 98 Spanish adults with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs).
• Employed a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative surveys and qualitative data.

Main Results:

• Chronic pain, cognitive impairment, and poor workplace adjustments impact work stability.
• Participants experienced exhaustion, lack of understanding from colleagues, and reduced employability.
• Structural issues like rigid schedules and inadequate job adaptations increase exclusion.

Conclusions:

• Existing employment policies and practices need reevaluation for chronic illness inclusion.
• Employers and policymakers should foster flexible work, adapt job design, and raise awareness of fluctuating conditions.
• Sustainable and equitable labor market participation requires these changes.