4 Tips to Continue Your Job Even If Your Health Is Decreasing

If you’re like most people, you probably want to continue working even when your health is deteriorating. But having poor health can make you feel overwhelmed, stressed and unable to focus on work.

You may also have a hard time explaining your condition to your boss or coworkers. This is especially true if you have a condition that doesn’t just go away with treatment. It can be difficult to explain why you’re often in bed or unable to meet with clients on the phone then! Read me.

But there are a few things you can do to keep your job even if you have poor health.

1. Talk to your supervisor and HR

If your health problems are impacting your daily activities, alerting your boss or your human resources department about your situation is the best way to avoid unnecessary stress and miscommunications with your manager, says Kim Francis, a human resources specialist at UW Medicine. Your HR representative can help you figure out what accommodations are available and how your restrictions will affect your work, she says.

2. Get clear about your needs

Having clarity about your needs will help you communicate effectively with your employer, according to Patrick Hicks, founding shareholder at Littler Mendelson--a law firm focusing on labor and employment law. For example, you might not need to tell your boss that you have chronic fatigue syndrome, but you do need to let them know how the symptoms impact your ability to perform your job.

3. Ask for reasonable accommodations

If your illness meets the definition of a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), your employer is required to provide you with reasonable accommodations that allow you to perform your job, including the right to take a sick day. This includes allowing you to work from home or have extra time off for doctor’s appointments.

4. Set a strong example

If you have a condition that impacts your mental health or physical abilities, it can be hard to come forward about your illness. But disclosing your diagnosis can help you break down the stigma of invisible illnesses and show that it’s OK to live with them. It can also help you stand up for yourself at work and set a good example for other employees, Nguyen says.