Many workers with chronic physical and mental health conditions struggle when deciding whether to seek support from their workplace. In making decisions, they weigh risks such as the loss of privacy or reputation if they disclose any needs, versus concerns about job difficulties and changes to work performance if they don’t receive support. Both workers and workplace representatives often report being unsure what to discuss and what might be helpful for workers.
The new, online and interactive Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT) is designed to help address the complexity of disclosure decisions. Developed as part of a large research partnership called Accommodating and Communicating about Episodic Disabilities (aced.iwh.on.ca), and with input from researchers, health charities, people with lived experience and workplace representatives, the JDAPT guides users through a series of simple questions about their job demands, job tasks and working conditions. Users then receive a personalized list of support ideas relevant to their working situation.
In this presentation, Dr. Monique Gignac describes the JDAPT tool, its development, as well as data from two studies on the tool. She discusses the JDAPT’s potential to help workers by focusing on work solutions, not medical diagnoses and symptoms.
