Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is especially hard on people at work, but there are ways to cope as more and more employers support work from home / telecommuting policies.
We have seen people who have stopped working, because they can’t cope with getting ready in the morning, leaving, and having that uneasy feeling of having to deal with symptoms.
To reduce your own potential economic loss we have adopted a letter which you or your doctor can submit to your employer to support working from home.
[Letterhead]
[Date]
To Whom It May Concern,
[Firstname][Lastname] has asked me to write a letter on their behalf to make the case for why they would medically benefit from having the option of working at home / telecommuting.
[Firstname][Lastname] is a patient with chronic Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) which can manifest as intestinal diarrhea, constipation and significant abdominal pain. Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome can benefit greatly from immediate access to a dedicated toilet. The fatigue associated with the illness can require rest breaks during the work day, which are more manageable at home. Further, patients with significant rectal urgency can have great difficulty with commuting, as they may need to stop to use a toilet as often as 3-5 times (particularly in the morning).
[Firstname][Lastname] is also receiving medication / treatment for their Irritable Bowel Syndrome which can reduce symptoms. Medication / treatment can be unpredictable at first and [He/She] could benefit from being able to be at home during this period.
These are the distinct advantages to [Firstname][Lastname] working at home / telecommuting and I hope that you will be able to offer this as a work option to [Firstname][Lastname]. Telecommuting has allowed many patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome to be dedicated and productive workers, despite battling a chronic disease daily.
Sincerely,
Dr. [Name]
Source(s):
WebMD.com: Dealing with IBS at Work: Strategies for Coping
Dr. Peter Higgins @ibddoctor Twitter post August 23, 2019: Letter to the employer for UC, Crohn’s Disease
Last updated on Dec 10, 2019