Crohn’s, Colitis and Employment From Career Aspirations to Reality

Why do the study? – Lots of anecdotes but no real evidence – To improve our information service and leaflets based on strong evidence – To campaign for changes to improve opportunities and help people with IBD to reach their full potential within the workplace. Over 1900 replies in one month to our postal and on-line survey!

What we found… This research has been pivotal in understanding the effect of IBD on people’s working lives before, during, and at the end of employment. It shows: the significant impact that IBD has on the working lives and wellbeing of people with the condition; that IBD affects people from career start to end, impacting aspirations and career choices through to premature retirement; that IBD can affect productivity in the workplace; the conscientiousness of workers with IBD.

concerns of young people with IBD 2/3 said that IBD has delayed their education and/or training 69% said that their IBD has prevented them from reaching their full educational potential More than half said that they would rule out some career options that they may otherwise have considered The vast majority of respondents noted that their IBD has affected their confidence and self-esteem (79%).

Employment concerns The report reveals that IBD does not just impact upon the career progression of young-people pre-employment. Those in employment also revealed that they are not necessarily in their career of first choice, nor do they feel that they are achieving their full working potential.

Career choices, opportunities and job satisfaction The majority said that their IBD had prevented them from pursuing their preferred choice of job or prevented them from reaching their full potential in the workplace Nearly half stated that their IBD restricted them from choosing a job with a long commute Nearly one quarter of respondents admitted that they would look for a different job if they didn’t have IBD More than one third perceived earning less as a result of their IBD

Workplace worries The most commonly stated worry was ‘managing my symptoms or flare-ups’ (78%) Nearly two thirds stated that they worry about not being able to carry out their work responsibilities adequately (62%) Approximately one in three worry about not being able to find a job that fits around their condition More than one third worry about losing their job as a result of their IBD

Case Studies Andrew “ My job is both in the office and on site; however, due to an "accident" on site I have now been made office based. I have been in hospital twice last year for long periods due to flare ups; this is unfair to my work mates. My employers have been very understanding about my illness - I’m one of the lucky ones. “ Danielle At the moment I’m in remission but when I’ve had a flare up I’ve felt bad ringing in sick for work, I was made to feel like I was in the wrong, and I worry that if I have too much time off work because of this they will find a way of sacking me.” Ben “ I was turned down for promotion on the grounds ‘it would be too stressful for someone with my condition’ “

Early retirement and unemployment The research revealed the impact of IBD on early retirement: for the vast majority people retiring before the age of 50, their IBD played a significant part in their decision.

Emma’s story… “I was ill on and off for some years until I became very Ill at the beginning of I had periods of being housebound due to bowel incontinence. IBD can be a very isolating illness. Life at work was difficult and I struggled on - but was pensioned off from my job in banking at the age of 27”

WPAI results The total work impairment formula, which calculates a combination of hours missed from work due to IBD and hours affected whilst at work, found that IBD has more impact on work than severe asthma and is comparable to some rheumatoid arthritis studies Absenteeism itself is quite low (9.81%) as most people drag themselves in to work even if they are feeling terrible.

Conscientiousness of workers Four out of five respondents reported sometimes going to work even if they did not feel well enough More than half reported giving more effort at work to make up for any shortcomings that resulted from their IBD In the seven days prior to their questionnaire, over two thirds had not missed any hours from work due to problems associated with their IBD.

Reasonable Adjustments The research reveals the importance of “reasonable adjustments: plans to support employees must account for these stages of disease and, as with all LTCs, support can not be ‘one size fits all’.

Reasonable Adjustments (2) These need not be a high-cost interventions: the introduction of straightforward adjustments such as easy access to toilets, flexible working hours or time off for doctor/hospital appointments separate from holiday allowance could make all the difference to those either in work or looking for work.

Linda… “If you are an employer, don’t write off the person with IBD as they may be even more determined to go the extra mile for your firm to prove to themselves that they can succeed in the workplace. I’ve aimed for the extraordinary and achieved many goals – working up the career ladder and starting up and running a very successful business employing over 200 people.

Any Questions?