Supporting individuals with chronic health conditions in the workplace: a scoping review

Globally, individuals living with chronic health conditions are becoming more prevalent, with many continuing to be engaged in paid employment; however, there has been no collation of the types of workplace accommodations, modifications and supports available globally for working age individuals with any type of chronic health condition. A scoping review was conducted of electronic databases utilising the JBI methodology for scoping reviews. The review aimed to determine the types of workplace accommodations, modifications and supports that were provided to individuals who were living with at least one chronic health conditions and aged 16–67. Thirteen research articles were included in the scoping review with two overarching categories identified. The first category, the organisation’s immediate responses to the current symptoms of the individual consisted of four main themes. The second category had five themes focused on the organisation’s ongoing or longer-term responses to the chronic disease process. Workplace accommodations, modifications and supports provided to those living with chronic health conditions varied between countries and may depend upon award conditions and stipulations. Self-advocacy and employer understanding of the impacts of chronic health conditions played an important role in whether workplace accommodations, modifications and supports were offered. Both reactive (immediate) and proactive (long-term) approaches are needed to support individuals with chronic health conditions within the workplace.Supporting individuals to advocate (self-advocacy) for their required workplace accommodations, modifications and supports is vital.Rehabilitation plans should include flexible working hours to lessen the impact of an individual’s chronic health condition within the workplace while also supporting their ongoing participation in employment. Both reactive (immediate) and proactive (long-term) approaches are needed to support individuals with chronic health conditions within the workplace. Supporting individuals to advocate (self-advocacy) for their required workplace accommodations, modifications and supports is vital. Rehabilitation plans should include flexible working hours to lessen the impact of an individual’s chronic health condition within the workplace while also supporting their ongoing participation in employment.