5 Ways Chronic Illnesses Can Impact Your Job and How to Ask for Help

Nearly all people over 60 have at least one such condition

Kenneth Terrell,

AARP

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Published March 10, 2025

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Many older workers struggle over whether to tell their boss they have a chronic illness, worrying they might face age discrimination as a result. New research suggests workers of all ages share that fear.

“Among the 58 percent of U.S. employees with physical chronic health conditions, a majority (60 percent) have not formally told their employer,” the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the de Beaumont Foundation report, summarizing the findings of an October 2024 survey of 1,000 U.S. workers age 18 and older.

While the survey looked at adults of all ages, older workers are most affected. According ot the National Council on Aging, 95 percent of adults age 60 and older have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 80 percent have two or more.

Hiding illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and asthma, can create a wide range of on-the-job issues for both workers and their bosses. The Harvard researchers say businesses could benefit from finding ways to better accommodate workers with long-term conditions.

“There is a major opportunity for the business community to play a greater role in supporting employees with chronic conditions, improving their well-being and performance, while reducing costly problems like absenteeism and turnover,” the study says.

Here are five ways workers say chronic illnesses affect your job performance and tips about how to ask your employer for assistance.

1. You take time during the workday to manage your illness

Three-quarters of employees with chronic health conditions (76 percent) needed to take at least some time during business hours to handle their illness. Among that group, 65 percent say they have needed to take a break while on the job due to their health, and 61 percent have had to take time off.

How to ask for help: Taking frequent breaks to manage your health can become an issue that hurts your job performance — and, eventually, your evaluations — especially if your boss doesn’t know you have an illness.

“As an employee, I would think about, is my chronic condition going to affect my job performance? And if so, should I be upfront about it, or should I wait until I get counseling for job performance issues,” says Amber Clayton, senior director of the Society for Human Resource Management's Knowledge Center, which provides advice and support to HR professionals.

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“If I needed leave or a reduced schedule or more breaks, sitting down periodically, anything that might affect attendance job performance … then I would, more than likely, talk to my employer about it," Clayton says. "Just to let them know and determine whether or not a reasonable accommodation is needed.”

Under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, most employers are obligated to provide some accommodations to workers with disabilities if doing so does not cause “undue hardship” to the business. Speak with your supervisor or your employer’s human resources office about what types of support you feel would be helpful.

2. You miss doctor’s appointments

“More than a third of employees with chronic conditions (36 percent) say they have skipped medical appointments or delayed getting care in the past year to avoid interfering with work,” the survey found.

How to ask for help: Your health should be your priority, because it affects your ability to do your job. Some employers are more open about letting workers take time during business hours for medical appointments, but in some job situations — especially those involving hourly or part-time work — taking time off for an appointment means losing pay.

If you’re willing to disclose your chronic condition to your employer, talk to them about whether time for appointments might be a reasonable accommodation. Some workplaces have formal processes in place with forms for your doctor to complete, Clayton says.

3. You lose opportunities for advancement

Clayton says many workers worry that if they disclose a chronic health condition, "maybe they're not going to get specific projects or they might not get promotions, that it could negatively impact their job."

The survey findings bear that out. One in three respondents with chronic conditions said they "have missed out on opportunities for more hours or projects because of their health. ear." One in four report missing out on opportunities for promotion, and one-fifth "have received bad reviews or negative feedback because of their chronic health conditions.”

How to ask for help: Many factors influence decisions about who gets promotion and advancement opportunities. One way you might be able to position yourself better is to proactively raise your health issues with your employer.

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These discussions can help you get reasonable accommodations that could boost your job performance. Under the ADA, employers are only responsible for accommodations if they are aware of your health needs, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

4. You think changing hours, or jobs

According to the survey, about 1 in 5 workers with chronic conditions have considered changing jobs (22 percent) or requested more flexible working hours (19 percent) in the past year. Thirteen percent of respondents said they had requested to work remotely at least some of the time.

How to ask for help: It’s always smart to have an eye open for job opportunities that might be a better fit for your career goals and financial needs. Keep in mind, however, that job choices you make later in life can have a more immediate impact on your retirement savings and health care options.

If you’re uncomfortable disclosing your chronic condition to your boss, consider asking about what support your workplace offers for training, upskilling, tuition reimbursement, or opportunities to attend seminars or conferences. Boosting your skills and professional network is a great way to be competitive when you look for your next job.

5. You run out of paid leave

The survey found that 1 in 4 workers who either have chronic conditions or help family members with health issues don’t have any paid leave (12 percent) or have run out of paid leave in the past year (14 percent) because of time taken to care for themselves or loved ones.

How to ask for help: Paid leave can be difficult to get because it largely depends on your employer, but extended leave that protects your job is more accessible. The federal Family Medical Leave Act provides workers with 12 weeks of leave in 12 monthsto manage their own health or that of a close family member. That leave can be extended to 26 weeks in one year if the employee or their care recipient is a veteran.

AARP is pushing for Congress to pass the Credit for Caring Act, which would provide working family caregivers with a nonrefundable tax credit to offset caregiving expenses. It’s not paid leave, but it could help workers better manage the financial challenges of extended time off from the job.

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Kenneth Terrell covers employment, age discrimination, work and jobs, careers, and the federal government for AARP. He previously worked for the Education Writers Association and U.S. News & World Report, where he reported on government and politics, business, education, science and technology, and lifestyle news.