A pain in the brain: Dealing with migraines at work

Migraines are a widespread and often invisible health challenge that many professionals face. Whether you’re a line manager, supervisor, team leader or small business owner, chances are you’ve worked with someone who experiences them—even if they haven’t mentioned it.

With an estimated 23.3% of adults aged 15-69 in the UK experiencing migraines and around 86 million workdays lost each year due to migraine-related absences and presenteeism (where someone is at work but can’t perform at their best), it’s safe to say that the impact on the workplace is huge.

In this blog, we share some practical tips for how you can better support employees who suffer from migraines in your organisation and help them to manage this debilitating condition at work.

What is a migraine?

A migraine is a type of headache characterised by intense, throbbing pain, often on one side of the head. It can be accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound and may last from a few hours to several days.

Migraines can significantly impact a person’s quality of life, and more than 90% of people who live with the condition say they can’t function well enough to work during a migraine attack.

However, with proper management and treatment, many individuals affected by migraines do find relief and can lead normal, productive lives.

Migraines in the workplace

In the UK, migraines impact one in seven individuals, and according to research by the National Migraine Centre, more than 50% of those suffering from chronic migraines feel that their employer does not provide adequate support. The clinic’s research also showed that 25% of sufferers had to change careers and 16% lost their job because of migraines and/or headaches, while 97% of respondents worked while in pain caused by headaches.

The effects of migraines and headaches on work are often overlooked, underestimated and misunderstood by employers, with many sufferers downplaying their symptoms to avoid jeopardising their job security, which only adds to their stress and discomfort.

It’s clear that there’s a real need for greater awareness and understanding of migraines in the workplace. By recognising the challenges that migraine sufferers face and offering better support, employers can make a huge difference to the wellbeing and productivity of their teams.

Creating a migraine friendly workplace

For most people with migraines, the condition shouldn’t prevent them from finding and keeping a job. However, there may be instances where it has an unavoidable impact at work.

Here, we outline some general considerations for employers looking to provide better support for employees who experience migraines.

Depending on their severity and frequency, migraines may be classed as a disability under the Equality Act, meaning that employers have a responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to support the employee.

Another thing to consider is implementing a specific migraine policy. While many employers already have policies for managing sickness absence, migraines can be unpredictable and significantly impact an employee’s absence record, especially if they have to have several short-term absences.

In summary, a few well-considered workplace adjustments, combined with a supportive manager and a positive work environment, can significantly reduce migraine-related challenges and help foster a more inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.