Chronic pain & stigma in the workplace: 4 ways to better support employees living with chronic pain
Chronic pain affects 40% of workers, impacting productivity. Find out how employers can reduce stigma and support the wellbeing of their people.
How chronic pain impacts the workplace
Chronic pain affects 40% of American workers, more than cancer, diabetes, and heart disease combined. Despite how common it is, the issue often goes unaddressed in workplace health discussions. But the financial impact is impossible to ignore. Chronic pain costs U.S. businesses $297 billion every year in lost productivity from absenteeism and presenteeism.
The problem becomes even more complicated when pain is tied to obesity and metabolic disorders. Obesity is a major risk factor for musculoskeletal disorders (MSK), one of the most significant drivers of employer healthcare costs. Still, many businesses struggle to provide the right kind of support. The good news? Employers have an opportunity to create environments that help employees manage chronic pain more effectively, benefiting both the workforce and the bottom line.
The connection between chronic pain and employee productivity
Musculoskeletal conditions play a major role in chronic pain, but they’re only part of the equation. Inflammation, stress, and metabolic health all affect how pain is felt and how quickly someone recovers. Despite this, many wellness programs focus almost exclusively on weight loss, missing key contributors to pain management.
Carrying excess weight can put stress on joints, but pain isn’t just about mechanics. Chronic inflammation, often linked to metabolic dysfunction, can worsen pain, slow healing, and limit mobility. Even those who successfully lose weight may still struggle with pain if the underlying inflammation isn’t addressed.
The workplace itself can also make pain worse. Long hours at a desk without movement, physically demanding jobs, and high-stress environments all contribute to chronic pain conditions. Without adequate support, employees often turn to short-term fixes, like medication, rather than sustainable solutions that promote lasting relief.
How stigma affects employees with chronic pain
Employees dealing with obesity-related pain don’t just experience physical discomfort, they also face bias. Society often misunderstands chronic pain, sometimes dismissing it as a personal failing or a sign of weakness. This bias seeps into the workplace, affecting performance reviews, career advancement, and employees’ willingness to seek accommodations.
A 2023 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that 30% of workers with chronic illnesses, including chronic pain, have been denied a job opportunity or promotion due to their condition. The same study revealed that many employees don’t disclose their condition at work, fearing they’ll be seen as unreliable.
Stigma doesn’t just impact individual employees; it has broader business consequences. Employees who feel they can’t talk about their pain are less likely to seek treatment, leading to longer recovery times, higher healthcare costs, and increased turnover. Employers who proactively address stigma can improve both employee well-being and organizational performance.
Strategies for employers to support employees with chronic pain
Wellness programs often have good intentions, but without the right foundation, they don’t always lead to lasting change. A broader, more effective approach involves creating a workplace culture that supports sustainable health habits and provides employees with the tools they need to manage chronic pain.
1. Build a workplace culture that acknowledges pain
- Train managers to recognize chronic pain and metabolic health as business concerns, not just HR topics.
- Offer flexible policies that allow employees to manage pain without worrying about negative career impacts.
- Encourage open conversations about pain, stigma, and available support without placing blame.
- Provide ergonomic assessments to ensure workspaces are designed to minimize MSK-related discomfort.
2. Support health beyond weight loss
- Offer science-backed, behavior-change programs that address inflammation, mobility, and metabolic health.
- Shift focus from weight loss alone. Strength, flexibility, and metabolic balance play an equally critical role.
- Provide behavior-change support for employees taking GLP-1s, whether through employer-sponsored coverage or self-pay, to ensure they get the most out of their treatment.
4. Understand the role GLP-1 medications play in chronic pain management
GLP-1 receptor agonists have changed the landscape of obesity care. However, there is a prevalent misconception that taking a GLP-1 is taking the “easy way out” to lose weight. But obesity and chronic conditions have very little to do with willpower; and GLP-1s aren’t just for weight loss. Their benefits extend beyond weight loss as they play a role in improving a range of chronic conditions, including chronic pain. Here’s how GLP-1s help with chronic pain:
- Reducing excess weight helps lower the risk of obesity-related MSK conditions.
- Lowering systemic inflammation can make pain more manageable.
- Improving joint health by addressing metabolic dysfunction can reduce discomfort.
- Increasing energy and mobility makes it easier for employees to stay active and engaged.
5. Utilize a comprehensive approach to address the link between chronic pain and mental health
Pain does not just affect the body; it takes a mental toll as well. Stress and anxiety can intensify pain perception, creating a cycle that is difficult to escape. However, many workplace benefits still treat mental and physical health separately, missing an opportunity to provide comprehensive support. Here are some steps employers can take:
- Offer stress management and mindfulness programs to help employees cope with the psychological effects of chronic pain.
- Provide behavioral health support as part of chronic condition management.
- Recognize chronic pain as a workplace issue, not just an individual problem.
- Consider flexible scheduling and remote work options for employees managing pain.
Creating a workplace that supports employees with chronic pain
The effects of chronic pain extend beyond the individual. It impacts team dynamics, retention, and overall business performance. Employers who take a proactive stance by reducing stigma, expanding access to evidence-based health tools, and creating a culture of support will build a stronger, more engaged workforce.
At Wondr Health, we partner with employers to deliver science-backed programs that improve metabolic, emotional, and physical health, driving measurable results for both employees and organizations.
Learn more about how we can support your workforce.
