This guide provides information on effectively managing an employee with a long-term health condition or illness. Employers should foster a compassionate culture and empower people to take steps to proactively manage their health. Everyone has a role to play in helping employees with long-term health conditions look after and get support for their health so they can thrive at work, free from discrimination: 

  • Employees need to prioritise self-care and self-management to cope with their symptoms and sustain their health and work. 
  • Work groups and colleagues can provide valuable practical support. 
  • Managers can help employees access the work adjustments and support that they need to manage their health and work effectively. 
  • Organisations with compassionate and flexible management policies can help to accommodate individual needs. 

Members access only

Unlock exclusive, tailored content and resources, just for members.

Sign in to access

Not a member yet? Find out how you can become a member today!

More on this topic

CIPD Viewpoint
Employee health and wellbeing

Explore the CIPD’s point of view on health and wellbeing at work, including recommendations for employers

Factsheet
Absence management and measurement

Learn how to manage short- and long-term absence in an organisation

For Members
Guide
People manager guide: Managing and supporting employees with long-term health conditions

Practical advice and guiding principles for effective support

Guide
People manager guide: Managing a return to work after long-term absence

Practical guidance to effectively manage and support an employee’s return to work after long-term sickness absence

For Members

Latest guides

Guide
Using and deploying skills effectively in the workplace

This guide offers advice on assessing skills, planning skills development and deploying and redeploying staff

For Members
Guide
People manager guide: Supporting employee resilience

Practical guidance on helping employees adapt and thrive when faced with workplace stress

For Members
Guide
Resilience: Guide for people professionals to support employees

Advice and tips on how HR professionals can support organisational and individual resilience

For Members
Guide
Internships that work: Guide for employers

Guidance for employers on starting or improving an internship programme, including a checklist and model agreement

For Members
All guides