Employment: Support for Young People with IBD

Yesterday we brought you news about the release of a new report about IBD, young people and work (which can be found on the main Me and IBD website). It raised concerns about finding employment and staying in employment. But what support is there for you?

You probably have the same hopes, aspirations and needs as any other young person, but for you IBD is also part of the equation. If you are looking for a job or are already at work, you may be wondering whether you need to tell prospective or actual employers about your condition. Or whether it is a good idea to tell your colleagues. What rights do you have; what rights does your employer have? What are your options?

All these questions are answered in our information sheet Employment and IBD: A Guide for Employees and some more info can be found in another of our info sheets IBD Concerns for Young People, which has all sorts of general info about life with IBD. 

Many people with IBD want to and do have a a successful work career, but sometimes managing IBD at work can be a challenge. Raising awareness of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, their impact on work and the simple steps that employers can take to improve working conditions is what the charity is striving to achieve.

One way we've found useful is the Crohn's and Colitis UK 'Good Desk Bad Desk' website - www.GoodDeskBadDesk.com - which shows (unsurprisingly, given the name) a Good Desk and a Bad Desk for an employee with IBD. It's a really simple way of showing employers the nightmares that can be overlooked by people who are ignorant of IBD symptoms. The really basic stuff - such as being near the toilets or a bit of flexibility for hospital appointments. These things can make all the difference.

You can also help inform your new boss and work colleagues about IBD by giving them the information sheet specially designed for employers. It is intended to help employers and managers understand what it means to have IBD, and how it can be possible, sometimes with minimal changes, for people with Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn’s Disease to work successfully and to fulfil their potential. It also considers the legislation that is relevant for managing people with such long-term health conditions.

"These challenges can be overcome but it requires action from people with IBD, their teachers, employers, and careers advisers, as well as policymakers and health professionals. By working together to implement some simple measures, we believe that people with IBD can be supported to gain the qualifications, education or training and access the careers they want, benefitting not only themselves and their families, but society and the taxpayer as well."

David Barker

CEO of Crohn's and Colitis UK

DID YOU KNOW??

One third of NEETS (that's those young people who are Not in Employment, Education or Training) don't claim benefits. 

If you'd like more information on your rights and for more details on what you may be entitled to head over to our main website, where there is a wealth of information. Click here.