A new report launched today from disability charity Astriid highlights the health and social barriers that are holding back a huge number of workers with long-term health conditions.  Entitled Making Employment Work for People with Long-Term Conditions, the report centres around the growing number of people managing an energy limiting condition, such as long Covid, fibromyalgia, autoimmune conditions, and many more.

The report reveals unique health-related and social barriers that disadvantage this community in the world of work, alongside evidence-based solutions from the frontline of our organisation – matching skilled people with long-term conditions who wish to work with meaningful employment opportunities.

With over 2.5 million individuals in the UK excluded from employment due to long-term health conditions and40% of the workforce predicted to develop such conditions during their working lives – the prospective talent pool is rapidly growing. The disability employment gap and rise in health-related economic inactivity have been widely reported, yet there is a significant lack of consultation with the very individuals most impacted.

The new findings in the report are designed to highlight the opportunities to employers of this valued talent pool and motivate more organisations to make roles more available to people who are managing long-term illness.

Key findings include:

• 92% of survey respondents believe they have skills that could be of value to an employer if a suitable job were available.
• 98% reported that fatigue and/or limited energy from their disability reduced their ability to work, and and89% from fluctuating symptoms..
• 89% sought an introduction to employers who understand long term conditions.
• 75% sought jobs that specifically mention flexibility over working hours and location in the job advert.
• 48% said they left their previous job because the working conditions caused their health to deteriorate.

Head of Astriid Consulting, Catherine Hale says:  “Despite Astriid’s bespoke and valued support, we need more help and support from UK employers and we are therefore, we are calling on them to facilitate more job opportunities with part-time, flexible hours and the ability to work from home. These factors should be clearly stated in job advertisements at the earliest opportunity.”