Migraines affect people from all walks of life, including your valued employees. Amidst the pain and discomfort, there are ways to provide support effectively while benefiting your dealership. By implementing reasonable accommodations, you not only demonstrate care for your team but also enhance productivity, reduce absenteeism, and minimize the risk of turnover.
Employees may silently endure their symptoms, fearing judgment or repercussions. Effective support begins with open conversations to understand your employees' needs and triggers.
90% of people cannot function normally during a migraine attack. Those with mild symptoms may be able to ‘power through’ and may unjustly assume everyone else should also be able to easily manage migraines.
Common symptoms include:
- Head pain: this alone can completely disable a person.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Light/ sound/ scent/ taste/ touch sensitivity
- Intolerance to movement
- Fatigue
- Musculoskeletal Pain (neck, jaw, shoulder, sinuses, etc.), numbness, and/ or tingling
- Tinnitus (ringing, buzzing, hissing, etc.) in the ears
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Gastrointestinal issues (diarrhea, constipation, etc.)
- Cognitive issues (brain fog; issues with concentration, memory, and word finding)
- Autonomic symptoms (chills/ hot flashes; eye redness/ tearing; sinus pressure)
- Less common stroke-like symptoms: such as paralysis; loss of vision; impaired consciousness.
The SAFER plan can create a safer workspace for your employees.
Scent Protection - People with migraines are hypersensitive to strong smells, such as: perfumes, hair sprays, petroleum, chemical cleaners, paint, and smoke. They can trigger a migraine attack that can last for days and could even land your employee in the emergency room.
- Request that employees refrain from wearing fragrances.
- Move the employee to an area where the fragrances are not so strong.
- Avoid air fresheners in the office or bathrooms.
- Provide air-purification systems.
- Implement a fragrance-free policy.
Audio Protection – During a migraine, sound sensitivity is heightened. Very loud, repetitive sounds can also be a trigger for a migraine. Fortunately, there are some relatively easy and inexpensive ways to manage sound in the workplace:
- Move the employee to a more secluded area or away from noisy or high-traffic areas.
- Provide an environmental sound machine to help mask distracting sounds.
- Provide noise-canceling headsets to reduce noise level.
- Provide sound-absorption panels.
Flexibility - Employees with migraines know attacks can strike at any time. Employers that offer flexible work schedules or work locations can reap the benefits of employee loyalty, increased productivity, and employee retention.
- Flexible work arrangements can go a long way in maximizing productivity without sacrificing your employee’s health.
- Provide flexible leave when the employee is experiencing a migraine attack.
- Allow the employee to work remotely from home when experiencing an attack.
- Don’t mandate attendance at after-hours social functions if an employee is affected by disruptions to sleep patterns.
Escape Options - Sometimes all it takes is to get away to a quieter space for a short time to alleviate migraine pain. A restroom vestibule, empty conference room or office might offer enough relief to make it through the workday or to keep the migraine from worsening.
- Provide the employee with a dark room or a private area to go to during a migraine.
- Arrange for a ride home, if necessary, via a ride-share service or a cab.
Reduced Light - Bright lights, including fluorescent lighting, headlights, and computer monitors are nearly universal triggers. Not all light is created equal, with blue light being the worst. Painful light sensitivity can be managed in the workspace:
- Add filters to existing fluorescent lights to create more natural lighting.
- Provide an anti-glare filter for the computer monitor of the employee(s) with migraines.
- Provide a LCD monitor that has a better refresh rate.
- Move the employee to a private area to allow for personal adjustment to appropriate lighting.
- Provide a desk lamp for more subdued lighting.
- Allow the employee to wear sunglasses or anti-glare glasses in the workplace.
Supporting employees with migraines isn't just an act of kindness; it's a smart business strategy. By investing in their well-being, you foster a loyal and productive team while reducing the impact of absenteeism. Most importantly, you create a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to succeed.
For more information and resources, visit: