The Elephant in the Corporate Room: It's Time to Talk About Chronic Illness

Let's be real for a second. Trying to bring the patient experience into the success-based world of LinkedIn In is not an easy task. The algorithm will always prefer a group photo from a professional gathering, a multi-tagging kudos, back-rubbing inter-company post, or simply an image of beautiful, young, and successful people.

But we, the sick, the unhinged, the disabled, and the often forgotten, may serve as a thorn in the foot of a giant algorithmic machine. Is it our place to be? Maybe, since everyone is telling me I should just post it on Instagram and get on with it, but I beg to differ: work-life is life. We spend 1/3 of our life in a working environment, and sick people are everywhere. So instead of hiding in the shadows of corporate society, I choose to shed light on life with a chronic illness,hidden or invisible disabilities, mental health challenges, or simply, having period pain, being pregnant, not feeling well in any sense of the word. The corporate world is not designed to support the human condition, and despite nice statements about diversity, inclusion, and equality, we are far from a place where it is safe to say you are simply not well or need support without fearing judgment or ramifications. Yes, I am generalizing, but I'm hearing hundreds of stories such as these in a year, in developed countries and less, in different working cultures and with different taboos, whether they are regarding mental health, women's rights, or simply the feeling of safety.

Inclusion is not a nice statement, it's a way of life. And if I, a highly skilled and empowered individual, truly believe that even if I am chosen, I will not find a job that will provide me with the support and understanding I need, it might reflect on what's going on out there. Want to know how to facilitate better for the chronic, transient, and permanent challenges of your workers? Ask. Collaborate. Bring people like me to share their stories. Allow employees to have safe spaces, both physical and emotional, to share, get support, and grow. Be flexible with us; dynamic disabilities can be a bitch sometimes. Bear with us, look beyond the HR handbook, and simply, be a human being. We all need help sometimes, and we will all be patients one day or another.

Roi, a chronically ill, dynamically disabled, highly skilled individual.