It’s no secret that gout can be debilitating – if you are living with the disease. But for those who are not, understanding the full extent of the disease can be difficult.
Nowhere is this more apparent than in the workplace.
Gout at Work
Gout is a serious, chronic disease. Painful gout flare-ups can affect your ability to do your job. Gout flares not only impact concentration but can make commuting and physical tasks at work more difficult.
Gout can increase absenteeism and decrease productivity. In fact, employees with gout had close to five more annual absence days than those without gout. This can stand in the way of promotions, raises and relationships with coworkers.
The stigma associated with the disease can be difficult to manage, especially in the workplace. Misconceptions about gout being your “fault” can make those who are suffering feel further isolated from their coworkers and managers.
Know Your Rights
If you are living with gout, it’s important to know your rights at work.
To be considered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you must visit your doctor to receive a diagnosis. After you have that, you can talk to your employer about your medical condition – but you do not have to share the diagnosis. Some patients may even be able to qualify for disability benefits.
Starting the Conversation
It can be intimidating to talk to your employer about your personal medical history. Remember, you do not need to share that you have gout. You can simply state that you have a medical condition that unpredictably flares up so badly that it can interfere with simple activities of daily living.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas:
- Book some time with your manager. It can be during a normal check in or you can ask for some additional time. Let them know you have a medical condition that can impact your ability to do your job.
- Confide in trusted coworkers. Sharing your experience with trusted coworkers can help validate your experience and help them understand what you are going through.
- Protect yourself with FMLA paperwork from HR. Both you and your doctor will need to fill our portions of the form that will be given back to your company.
Managing Gout
Remember, gout is manageable. But you must be proactive. Don’t wait until you have a flare to take action. By visiting your doctor and taking medications as prescribed, you can successfully manage your disease.
This appointment checklist can help guide the conversation with your doctor and ensure that you are well on your way to getting gout under control.