Working when you’re in pain is hardly working at all.
That’s a concern both for the employees who are trying to tough it out instead of calling in sick with “just a headache” and the employers who need their workers on point.
Discomfort is bad enough, as evidenced by decreased productivity among those who have ergonomic issues such as back and neck soreness caused or exacerbated by working at a desk all day without heeding proper ergonomic advice.
But often a headache brings more than discomfort. Someone suffering a mild tension headache might be able to power through, but anything more severe can really derail the day’s work. If you’ve ever tried to accomplish something important while in pain, you understand the problem.
Not only are you distracted by a pain you can’t shake off, but any work you do manage to get done is probably not representative of your best performance. If headaches become chronic or increase in severity, an employee can go from an an invaluable asset to a hindrance to the staff and the company as a whole.
Headaches are prevalent, and their causes range widely. That makes it hard for you, as a corporate wellness professional, to figure out the best way to handle the problem.
Promoting awareness of headaches and their various causes, as well as potential solutions, is a good place to start.
Headache At A Glance from the International Headache Society