Career Planning With Chronic Illness Mini Guide was originally published on disABLEDperson, Inc.
When you’re career planning with a chronic illness, your approach has to be grounded in your needs. Otherwise, it’s impossible to find a role that supports you to show up as your best self.
But what does this look like in a practical sense?
We’ve put together a quick guide that breaks it down so you can have the quality of life you deserve.
Keep reading to learn the top four things you need to focus on to stay empowered as you plan your career after a chronic health diagnosis.
Be honest with yourself and your employer about your limits and needs
What is an absolute no for you? Working outside of your home? Standing on your feet for more than a few minutes? Working with customers face-to-face?
And what do you need to thrive at work? The freedom to choose your own deadlines? The ability to work fully remotely? The option to call in sick as needed without penalties?
Take the time to really process this and journal it out. This is a pivotal part of your career planning process because it sets you up for a supportive role, instead of one that drains you or puts your health at risk.
After you’re clear on your very real limits and needs, fill in the list below.
Workplace boundaries and must-haves list
(Reference this guide anytime you’re looking for a job. Or when you need to meet with a manager or client about your needs and capacity levels)
My job must support me in the following ways:
- Support example
- (e.g., “I must always have a fully remote position.”)
- Support example
- Support example
- Support example
- Support example
I’m not available for the following tasks or responsibilities:
- Task or responsibility example
- (e.g., “I can’t be responsible for helping customers face to face.”)
- Task or responsibility example
- Task or responsibility example
- Task or responsibility example
- Task or responsibility example
If you’ve been recently diagnosed or are going through a particularly hard flare-up, schedule a time to have an open conversation with your employer, and bring this list. If you’re feeling nervous that they may not support your needs, read the next section.
Understand your disability rights and advocate for yourself
Many people with long-term health issues don’t know about the laws that protect them at work. Like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
They were created to help make sure you’re not discriminated against due to your condition. And so you can ask for things like time off or changes to how you work, without losing your job.
If a company says the needs and boundaries you listed above are “too much,” be sure to read into the ADA and FMLA. They’ll outline what you can legally request.
You can also talk to HR to learn more about what you’re entitled to.
And if things get really tough, or you’re not sure that HR or the government has your best interests in mind, a disability rights lawyer can help. (Some offer free consultations and only charge if you win your case.)
Choose supportive roles and build your career around your needs
One of the most empowering things you can do for yourself as a person with a disability is to shape your career and lifestyle to be more supportive.
Thankfully, post-pandemic, there are more opportunities to do this than ever before.
Think — freelancing, starting an online business, offering virtual assistant services, or taking on project-based work. These options provide you with more freedom and flexibility to manage your schedule and work according to your unique needs and energy levels.
