Jobs for People Who Are Immunocompromised

Being immunocompromised means that your immune system isn’t as strong as other people’s and you are less able to fight off infections and illnesses. People can be immunocompromised for different reasons, including having lupus, being HIV positive, having diabetes, or undergoing certain medical treatments.

If you are immunocompromised, it affects how you can navigate the world, especially after the covid-19 pandemic. Covid was particularly harmful to immunocompromised people and they had to take extra precautions to shield themselves from the virus. As covid is still an issue, albeit a smaller one, this shielding hasn’t completely gone away for many people.

As such, many immunocompromised people may make changes to how they work to stay safe and healthy. This can impact the jobs they choose, the employers they work for, and the general ways in which they work. We are going to talk a little more about this on this page.

What are the Safest Jobs for People Who Are Immunocompromised?

Many people who have compromised immune systems may wish to work from home. Working from home means you can limit your contact with others and you can create your own working environment in a way that is safe for you. Thankfully, particularly after the pandemic, there are more options to work from home than ever before.

Other people may prefer a hybrid working model, in which they work at home sometimes but not all of the time. This can allow you to have some face-to-face interaction with others and meet your social needs, while also limiting contact and taking time away when you need to.

Some immunocompromised people may also choose to work in a physical work environment all of the time. In this case, certain reasonable adjustments need to be made to ensure the safety of this employee. Particularly so after a pandemic. Let’s talk about those next.

Reasonable Adjustments that Help Immunocompromised Employees

When an immunocompromised colleague is working in a face-to-face working environment, modifications may need to be made to this environment to keep them safe and comfortable. This can include:

• Social distancing of desks and seats
• Allowing the employee to continue wearing a mask of their choice
• Ensuring air flow through the space
• Allowing extra breaks for the person to go outside alone or be in break areas alone/with limited people
• Excusing the employee from certain events including training and large talks
• Changing seating positions/ desk location
• Time off for doctor’s appointments and treatment
• Paid transport to and from work to avoid public transport, paid through the Access to Work scheme 

Overall, the reasonable adjustments being made should allow the colleague with a weakened immune system to continue to work without being excluded due to their health condition. They should allow them to safely navigate a space with others without falling ill as a consequence. These reasonable adjustments legally must be made for disabled employees under the Equality Act of 2010. Read more about your rights under the Equality Act right here.

Where to Find Accessible Jobs

If you are looking for a job that accommodates you and your health condition, check out our disability-friendly job board on Careers with Disabilities. There you will find positions that allow you to work and be healthy at the same time, without compromise.