Workers living with chronic conditions continue to face stigma, inconsistent support and inadequate reasonable adjustments across UK workplaces. For many, particularly those living with chronic pain, there is a constant expectation to justify symptoms that are often invisible but have a significant impact on everyday life and their ability to work.
As part of GMB Midlands work into investigating the impact on workers with chronic health conditions, our branch's H&S Rep Neil has, together with Region, put together a questionnaire which went live on the 1st of September and closes on the 1st October 2026 for Midlands Regional Reps.
If Regional Reps could please take the time to complete it.
If Regional Reps could please take the time to complete it.
Below is a video from Neil and more background information on the Campaign.
Drawing on my own lived experience of chronic pain, I have seen first-hand how current workplace practices often fall short. Too often, employers rely on generic approaches rather than taking the time to understand an individual's condition and identify adjustments that genuinely enable them to remain in work. This campaign has been developed to ensure that workers with chronic conditions are recognized, supported and treated with dignity across every workplace
Building the evidence
To build a clear evidence base on the scale of the issue, we have developed a comprehensive survey that will initially be distributed to all GMB representatives in the Midlands Region.
The survey will gather members' experiences of reasonable adjustments, workplace support, sickness management and the way they have been treated by their employer. It covers a wide range of long-term health conditions, including physical health conditions, chronic pain and neurodivergent conditions.
Running from the start of September, the findings will allow us to identify common employer failings and demonstrate where improvements are needed. The evidence gathered will form the foundation of the wider campaign and strengthen our ability to negotiate with employers and, where necessary, campaign for wider change.
Ahead of the survey launch, the campaign has already received widespread support from GMB workplace representatives who want to help improve the working lives of members with chronic conditions. It also has the full backing of GMB at both Regional and National level, including Regional Secretary Martin Allen.
On 21st July, I spoke at the GMB Regional Equality Forum to share my lived experience, outline the aims of the campaign and encourage more GMB representatives to become involved. This had a great reception at the forum with representatives asking questions and showing their support for the survey and the campaign.
With the survey ready to launch in the first week of September, our priority is ensuring as many people take part so we can build the strongest possible evidence base.
To build a clear evidence base on the scale of the issue, we have developed a comprehensive survey that will initially be distributed to all GMB representatives in the Midlands Region.
The survey will gather members' experiences of reasonable adjustments, workplace support, sickness management and the way they have been treated by their employer. It covers a wide range of long-term health conditions, including physical health conditions, chronic pain and neurodivergent conditions.
Running from the start of September, the findings will allow us to identify common employer failings and demonstrate where improvements are needed. The evidence gathered will form the foundation of the wider campaign and strengthen our ability to negotiate with employers and, where necessary, campaign for wider change.
Ahead of the survey launch, the campaign has already received widespread support from GMB workplace representatives who want to help improve the working lives of members with chronic conditions. It also has the full backing of GMB at both Regional and National level, including Regional Secretary Martin Allen.
On 21st July, I spoke at the GMB Regional Equality Forum to share my lived experience, outline the aims of the campaign and encourage more GMB representatives to become involved. This had a great reception at the forum with representatives asking questions and showing their support for the survey and the campaign.
With the survey ready to launch in the first week of September, our priority is ensuring as many people take part so we can build the strongest possible evidence base.
Supporting GMB representatives
Alongside the survey, the plan is to develop a new Chronic pain and Chronic conditions training course for GMB workplace representatives which will launch in late October.
The training will equip workplace representatives with the knowledge and confidence to support members living with chronic conditions, challenge inadequate employer responses and help secure appropriate reasonable adjustments.
In the longer term, we also hope to work directly with employers by delivering awareness and training sessions to management teams, improving understanding of chronic conditions and encouraging better workplace practices.
Alongside the survey, the plan is to develop a new Chronic pain and Chronic conditions training course for GMB workplace representatives which will launch in late October.
The training will equip workplace representatives with the knowledge and confidence to support members living with chronic conditions, challenge inadequate employer responses and help secure appropriate reasonable adjustments.
In the longer term, we also hope to work directly with employers by delivering awareness and training sessions to management teams, improving understanding of chronic conditions and encouraging better workplace practices.
Improving workplace policies
GMB Midlands Region are also looking to develop a workplace chronic pain and chronic conditions policy that employers can adopt.
The policy will encourage employers to engage meaningfully with workers about their condition, where they choose to disclose it, and ensure reasonable adjustments are tailored to individual needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Alongside this, we aim to develop an updated toolkit containing guidance, resources and practical support for workplace representatives, managers and members to help ensure consistent and fair treatment across all workplaces.
The Equality Act 2010 places a legal duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees where their condition has a substantial and long-term impact on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. However, many workers living with chronic conditions continue to report inconsistent application of these duties, a lack of understanding and adjustments that fail to meet their individual needs. This campaign aims not only to promote awareness of existing legal protections but also to encourage best practice that goes beyond minimum legal requirements, helping employers create more inclusive workplaces for everyone.
GMB Midlands Region are also looking to develop a workplace chronic pain and chronic conditions policy that employers can adopt.
The policy will encourage employers to engage meaningfully with workers about their condition, where they choose to disclose it, and ensure reasonable adjustments are tailored to individual needs rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Alongside this, we aim to develop an updated toolkit containing guidance, resources and practical support for workplace representatives, managers and members to help ensure consistent and fair treatment across all workplaces.
The Equality Act 2010 places a legal duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled employees where their condition has a substantial and long-term impact on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. However, many workers living with chronic conditions continue to report inconsistent application of these duties, a lack of understanding and adjustments that fail to meet their individual needs. This campaign aims not only to promote awareness of existing legal protections but also to encourage best practice that goes beyond minimum legal requirements, helping employers create more inclusive workplaces for everyone.
Looking to the future
While the immediate priority is gathering evidence and improving workplace practices, the campaign also has longer-term ambitions.
As the evidence develops, we will explore potential changes to employment legislation, including introducing protected recovery days and exemptions from standard sickness absence trigger points for workers living with chronic conditions.
These proposals recognise the significant impact long-term health conditions can have on both physical and mental wellbeing.
We also hope to work alongside charities, disability organisations and support groups that share our goal of making working life fairer and helping people remain in employment.
The campaign has already attracted national interest from GMB National Officers, Mel Bartlett and Dan Shears, demonstrating the growing recognition of the need to improve workplace support for members living with chronic conditions.
While the immediate priority is gathering evidence and improving workplace practices, the campaign also has longer-term ambitions.
As the evidence develops, we will explore potential changes to employment legislation, including introducing protected recovery days and exemptions from standard sickness absence trigger points for workers living with chronic conditions.
These proposals recognise the significant impact long-term health conditions can have on both physical and mental wellbeing.
We also hope to work alongside charities, disability organisations and support groups that share our goal of making working life fairer and helping people remain in employment.
The campaign has already attracted national interest from GMB National Officers, Mel Bartlett and Dan Shears, demonstrating the growing recognition of the need to improve workplace support for members living with chronic conditions.
Get involved
Chronic conditions are widespread, often misunderstood and too frequently overlooked within workplace policy and practice. No worker should be disadvantaged or penalised because of a long-term health condition they did not choose.
This campaign is about improving reasonable adjustments, strengthening workplace policies and ensuring workers living with chronic conditions receive the dignity, understanding and support they deserve.
When you receive the survey, please take the time to complete it. Every response will help build the evidence needed to improve workplace practices, strengthen GMB's negotiating position and drive lasting change for members living with chronic conditions.
Chronic conditions are widespread, often misunderstood and too frequently overlooked within workplace policy and practice. No worker should be disadvantaged or penalised because of a long-term health condition they did not choose.
This campaign is about improving reasonable adjustments, strengthening workplace policies and ensuring workers living with chronic conditions receive the dignity, understanding and support they deserve.
When you receive the survey, please take the time to complete it. Every response will help build the evidence needed to improve workplace practices, strengthen GMB's negotiating position and drive lasting change for members living with chronic conditions.
Contact us
For more information about the campaign, or if you would like to support this work, please contact Craig Stuart at GMB Midlands Region ([email protected]) or Neil Gardiner GMB Workplace Representative ([email protected]).
Whether you are living with a chronic condition, are a GMB representative, or simply want to support the campaign, your involvement can help ensure that workers receive the fair treatment, understanding and reasonable adjustments they deserve. Together, we can build the evidence needed to improve workplace support and secure lasting change for workers living with chronic conditions.
For more information about the campaign, or if you would like to support this work, please contact Craig Stuart at GMB Midlands Region ([email protected]) or Neil Gardiner GMB Workplace Representative ([email protected]).
Whether you are living with a chronic condition, are a GMB representative, or simply want to support the campaign, your involvement can help ensure that workers receive the fair treatment, understanding and reasonable adjustments they deserve. Together, we can build the evidence needed to improve workplace support and secure lasting change for workers living with chronic conditions.
Neil Gardiner
GMB MIDLANDS H&S REPRESENTATIVE
AUGUST 2026
GMB MIDLANDS H&S REPRESENTATIVE
AUGUST 2026
| campaign_for_better_reasonable_adjustments_for_workers_with_chronic_conditions_010926.pdf |
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