When you have a chronic medical condition, you may spend a lot of time trying to get others to not just know but also understand your condition. You describe the mechanics, frequently pausing to explain the medical terminology that has become your second language. You describe in great detail the physical discomfort that makes even the most basic activities, such as showering or getting dressed, burdensome. You describe how the condition affects your mental health, causing depression, anxiety, brain fog, and other issues that interfere with your well-being and productivity. If you are fortunate, your friends and family will respond with empathy and support. If you are employed, you are more likely to find you are entering into a don’t ask, don’t tell environment with human resources, leadership, and colleagues.

Written for employees, human resources, and workplace leaders, A Leadership Guide to Normalizing the Discussion of Invisible Illness in the Workplace, is a useful reference guide defining invisible disability and offering the first steps to open discussions to bring awareness, to educate, to seek assistance, and most importantly, to not feel as though employees are hiding or being dishonest.

Available on Amazon