Crohn’s disease 101: Creating a Crohn's-friendly workplace
We’ve all seen the pharmaceutical commercials where a person is supposed to be having a wonderful day spent with family or friends, but instead they are left searching for the nearest restroom wherever they go.
This scenario isn't an act. It's the reality for approximately 1 million people in the United States currently living with Crohn’s disease.
While Crohn's may not be commonly discussed, it severely impacts the overall well-being, productivity and engagement of an employee dealing with the condition.
And, if proactive measures aren't taken, it can come with a hefty price tag — for both you and your employees.
What is Crohn’s disease?
First things first: It’s important to put yourself in the shoes of your employee(s) who maybe living with Crohn’s disease.
According to the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation, Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that impacts the gastrointestinal tract and even other parts of the body, such as the skin, joints and eyes. Symptoms can include abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea and unintended weight loss.
For employees struggling with Crohn’s disease, managing these symptoms while trying to get work done can be incredibly difficult.
Common work accommodations for employees with Crohn’s disease
According to the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM®), the length of an average workweek for a full-time employee is 47 hours. With all this time spent at work, your employees expect a thing or two from you.
Consider incorporating these five tips in your workplace to support employees dealing with Crohn’s disease. But first, evaluate each employee's needs on a case-by-case basis. One employee can experience the disease completely different than another — that’s why it’s important to consider all situations.
1.
Move employees’ workstations closer to restrooms.
While this may seem like a simple fix, it’s an essential one — especially for an employee living with Crohn’s. Even if your workplace likes to pair team members close together, be willing to make seating accommodations if an employee has Crohn’s disease.
2.
Accommodate work schedules.
An employee can go from remission of Crohn’s disease symptoms to a flare-up within days (or even hours). If an employee experiences a flare-up, encourage them to work from the comfort of their home, or take a half day depending on the situation.
3.
Offer emergency kit essentials.
Crohn’s disease flare-ups can happen at any time, so it can be helpful to keep emergency kit essentials on hand to help make an employee’s situation easier. Emergency kits can include everything from moistened wipes and odor eliminators to heartburn and pain reliever medication. Keep these kits handy in restrooms, drawers or lockers where employees can easily access them.
4.
Create an open, safe and judgement-free workplace.
Employees who struggle with any debilitating health condition tend to avoid sharing due to judgement, and possible discrimination of advancement opportunities. Create a safe and open environment for your employees to express their concerns and needs for a comfortable (and accommodating) work environment.
5.
Encourage personal relationships with a primary care provider.
Although Crohn’s disease may not have a definitive cure, there are various treatment options for your employees to help manage flare-ups or symptoms. And, when your employees develop a personal relationship with their primary care provider, they can confide in them and experience greater satisfaction, better overall health and lower hospital and emergency room use.
Chronic disease increases the risk of colorectal cancer
According to the Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® Health of America® Report, employees who have a chronic condition like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are at nearly two times the risk for being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Additionally, if you have employees who have been diagnosed with diabetes or obesity, these individuals also see increased risk in colorectal cancer, than those without the chronic conditions.
The report finds that 61 percent of those over the age of 50+ cite finding the screening process uncomfortable both emotionally and physically. For the 18-49 age range, they do not believe they are at risk for colorectal cancer. All age groups agreed that their primary care provider has not recommended the screening.
Encourage employees to use myWellmark®
If an employee within your company is diagnosed with Crohn's disease, myWellmark can help them find an in-network doctor or a local pharmacy and calculate drug costs. Not to mention, they'll also be able to:
- Get easy-to-understand claims information with personalized insights.
- Find complete coverage details specific to their plan.
- Estimate cost of care for procedures and services before they go.
- Get helpful, relevant well-being content.
- Make informed decisions regarding their health and health care spending.
Encourage your employees to register for myWellmark today. Or, promote myWellmark to your employees using the free materials from the Wellmark Marketing Toolkit.
Questions? Contact your authorized Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield account representative, or email us at blueatwork@wellmark.com.