1. Fighting Discrimination at Work
The voice of people with chronic pain
Fighting Discrimination at Work
for those affected by
neurological disorders and
chronic pain conditions
Joop van Griensven
Pain Alliance Europe

2. The voice of people with chronic pain
What work were you doing before your diagnosis?
NUMBER
PERCENT
Agriculture 55
1.2
Industry
280
6.4
Service
1441
32.7
Public administration
2212
50.2
Private household & selfemployed 74
1.7
Overseas company or organisation 56
1.3
Not working
285
6.5
TOTAL
4403
100.00
Significant differences have been found across countries, genders and ages, which reveal how the care in the work setting for people with chronic pain is very inconsistent across member states, employers and responsible authorities.

3. The voice of people with chronic pain
Does your chronic pain completely prevent you from doing this work?
More than 50% of people with chronic pain are prevented from doing their work because of chronic pain: similar proportion of males and females.

4. The voice of people with chronic pain
Does your employer make special adaptations for you, so that you can work?
Only minority of the employers (30%) made special adaptations to facilitate people with chronic pain in their work. This was often following legislation which supports people with chronic pain. Most of the special adaptations made by the employer were initiated by the personal request of the worker.

5. The voice of people with chronic pain
Did you receive any occupational rehabilitation in order to remain at work?
Only 19.6% of respondents receive occupational rehabilitation in order to remain at work. Most of this occupational rehabilitation was paid for by governments (38%) and by employers (25%). In Southern and Eastern European countries, people mostly need to pay for the therapy themselves.

6. The voice of people with chronic pain
How much has your income dropped since your work situation changed due to the impact of your pain condition?
More than two thirds of all people with chronic pain indicated that their income had dropped due to the impact of their painful condition. For 10% income had dropped to below 10% of the previous level. 44 % mention a drop of 50% or more

7. Thank you! Joop Van GRIENSVEN The voice of people with chronic pain