Talking about health at work: a qualitative study of worker disclosures to co-workers

Co-workers can be important sources of support for workers with chronic, disabling health conditions. However, research on disclosure has largely focused on supervisors. This study examined health disclosure decisions to co-workers, what was shared, why, when, and contextual factors guiding decisions.

We conducted 25 semi-structured interviews with workers living with chronic physical and/or mental health conditions that impacted work at least some of the time. We used reflexive thematic analysis to identify themes in the data.

Sixteen women and nine men with diverse health conditions, ages, job sectors and career stages were interviewed about their disclosure experiences with co-workers. Five themes captured their communication decision processes: 1) disclosure for understanding and relationship building; 2) how differing expectations of workplace groups guided disclosure decisions; 3) goals related to avoiding judgement and negative consequences; 4) unexpected reciprocity between colleagues; and 5) ways that disclosure responses shaped ongoing workplace interactions in positive and negative ways.

Participants reported generally positive interactions with co-workers. However, their disclosure decision processes were multifaceted. The findings inform how workplace disability support processes may extend beyond the workplace policies and practices for which supervisors are responsible.