Anorexia, or anorexia nervosa, is a common eating disorder. Eating disorders affect over 1.2 million people in the U.K., and anorexia is one of the most common conditions seen within that category.
Anorexia can be a very serious condition, leading to long-term health complications and, in severe cases, often death. The condition’s main symptom is keeping one’s weight as low as possible and using various techniques to continue to lose weight. This leads to health complications ranging from dehydration, fatigue, and hair loss, to more serious side effects such as organ damage, fertility problems, heart damage, and osteoporosis.
As so many people deal with anorexia in the U.K., it is common for it to be a prevalent disability in the workplace. Many people with anorexia will struggle at work due to their condition and many may feel that they cannot continue to work because of it. This means that it is a condition that requires appropriate support in the workplace so that these people can continue to work and be safe while doing so.
On this page of our Disability Advice Hub, we are going to talk more about anorexia at work and how it can be dealt with most appropriately by both the employees and employers affected.
How to Deal with Anorexia at Work
Living with anorexia can be incredibly challenging. It is a condition that can greatly impact both a person’s mental and physical health. As the condition continues, both of these areas can decline greatly.
It is important that if you have anorexia or you believe you may do so, you talk to your local doctor for help and advice. The sooner you seek medical and professional support for anorexia, the better chance you have of recovering from the disorder. You can talk to your GP about how you are feeling and they will refer you to appropriate local services for more specialised support. There is a great charity in the U.K., Beat Eating Disorders, that you can also refer to for specific support and guidance.
When it comes to working with anorexia, it is also important to talk to your employer about what you are going through. While you might feel uncomfortable doing so at first, it serves a very important purpose. Disclosing your condition to your employer ensures that you get the support you need at work. Anorexia can be considered a disability in the U.K. if it impacts your ability to perform day-to-day tasks on a long-term basis. Under the Equality Act of 2010, this means that your employer is legally required to make the reasonable adjustments you need to be more comfortable at work. It also means that you are directly protected from any workplace discrimination due to your condition. You cannot be fired or unfairly disciplined on the grounds of your condition or any symptoms related to it.
Reasonable Adjustments
Some reasonable adjustments that might help someone working with anorexia include:
- Hybrid and working-from-home options
- Flexible working hours
- Paid transport to work, such as taxis
- Time off for appointments and clinics
- Longer breaks
- Reduced workload or change in responsibilities
It is key to talk to your employer about what you need. If you are working for an inclusive, disability-confident employer, these modifications should be no issue whatsoever. If you are working for someone who doesn’t support you as they should, then it may be time to look for a new job opportunity.
You can find accessible jobs from inclusive employers on our disability-friendly job board. Make sure to check out our jobs for people with eating disorders. It is always worthwhile to work somewhere that provides what you need. You need the right support to be protected at work while you take time to recover and get better.
What Employers Can Do
Employers can help people with anorexia at work in multiple ways. It may seem like a daunting prospect at first, especially if you have little awareness of or experience with the disorder. However, being a supportive employer may be much more simple than you might think. Helpful strategies include:
- Learning more about the condition to increase your awareness and understanding
- Evaluating whether your physical working environment is accessible and whether any changes can be made
- Responding to reasonable adjustment requests quickly and with non-judgement
- Checking out the Access to Work scheme for financial support regarding reasonable adjustments
- Using inclusive language around the condition
- Listening to your employees openly about their individual experiences and avoiding stereotypes or assuming what they need before they ask
- Committing to becoming an inclusive and disability-confident employer
At Careers with Disabilities, we can help you on your journey to becoming an inclusive and disability-confident employer. We believe that the right support from employers can change lives. It can also transform your business, meaning it is a beneficial thing for everyone involved.
Our guides and resources can help you learn everything you need to know about common disabilities and conditions. You can also learn about key topics including financial support, reasonable adjustments, and inclusive terminology.
Then, you can make the most out of our services for employers and connect with disabled job seekers across the U.K. via our disability-friendly job board.
We believe that work-based support is transformative. Join the revolution of inclusion today with us at Careers at Disabilities.
