one in six people with chronic illness are victims of discrimination, says study

Chronic illnesses at work remain “an issue still largely unexplored”, according to the barometer established by the Defender of Rights in partnership with the International Labor Organization (ILO).

One in six people with a chronic illness have faced discrimination or discriminatory harassment in the professional context due to their state of health or disability, according to the barometer established by the Defender of Rights in partnership with the ‘International Labor Organization (ILO), published Thursday December 14 “Having a long-term chronic illness increases the risk of being exposed to discrimination in employment”says in a press release from the Defender of Rights, Claire Hédon.

Chronic illnesses at work remain “a question still largely unexplored”, estimates the barometer. After those linked to nationality, origin or skin color, discrimination linked to health and disability are the most frequently cited among the 3,000 people, including 1,000 suffering from chronic illness. , interviewed by Ipsos for this survey.

More than a third of patients not supported by their employer

Thus, a majority (55%) of sick people declare having experienced a situation of moral harassment, compared to 35% of the rest of the active population. On the other hand, workstations are often not arranged as they should: “19% of employees with a chronic illness benefit from adjustments to their job” while 29% do not benefit from it, but would need it.

Finally, 40% of sick people whose health problems are known to their employer and their superior “do not benefit from the support and understanding of either one”, according to this study. The share of the working population affected by a chronic illness was 15% in 2019, but is expected to reach 25% by 2025, according to the National Agency for the Improvement of Working Conditions (Anact).