A chronic or long-term health condition or illness is one for which there is no cure but which can usually be managed with medication and therapy, such as asthma, mental illness, arthritis, diabetes or heart disease. In the UK, the Equality Act 2010 states that some conditions, which adversely affect someone’s ability to carry out his or her normal day-to-day activities, are defined as disabilities, and as such place duties on the employer to make reasonable adjustments that allow that person to stay in work.
While they are not usually work related, chronic conditions often impact on the needs of the employee at work.
This topic describes chronic health conditions and the duties of employers when such conditions are reported to them.
-
A chronic condition is a health condition or disease that generally cannot be cured by medicine and persists for an extended period, often for the whole of a person’s life.
-
The Equality Act 2010 requires reasonable adjustments, such as flexible working or changes to the work or workplace, to be made for anyone who is recognised as disabled to allow them to continue or start in employment.
-
An individualised risk assessment process can help to identify possible adjustments.
-
A return-to-work process is important for employees who need time off work.
-
Employees should be able to talk to their employers about any existing or new health condition.
-
The organisation’s chronic illness policy should identify different roles and responsibilities.
Last reviewed 16 March 2022
