Lowell, MA — Workers with chronic pain can alleviate extra physical and mental fatigue by recognizing that their body “is not the same as everybody else’s, and that’s OK,” researchers say.
A team led by a researcher from the University of Massachusetts-Lowell interviewed 66 workers in multiple occupations about their experiences and work performances related to chronic pain. The condition affects around a quarter of U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The team found that the workers often feel trapped in a pursuit to meet the expectations of someone with an “ideal worker body.” However, accepting the concept of a “sufficient worker body” – the idea that “I can still be a very good worker, but I might need to do things differently”– can ease self-imposed pressure and help workers find more sustainable solutions, Elana Feldman, an associate professor of management at UML, said a press release.
Feldman noted that employers often aim for perceived “one-size-fits-all” accommodations such as ergonomic chairs or sit-stand desks. However, she cautioned, these measures aren’t always effective because body and pain experiences vary.
“What managers need to do is partner with employees to figure out what works for them,” Feldman said. “When people are given that flexibility, they often come up with creative ways of doing their work.”
As examples, she cited a deli worker who used a cart to decrease the strain of lifting heavy items, as well as a sonographer who learned to scan with both arms to reduce strain.
“If organizations could focus less on what people look like while they’re doing their work and more on whether the work is actually getting done, and have real conversations with employees about what they need, that would benefit everyone,” Feldman said.
The study was published in the Academy of Management Journal.
