Managing lung conditions in the workplace

What are lung conditions?

Lung conditions (also called respiratory diseases) affect your lungs and breathing. Some conditions are:

• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• bronchiectasis
• pulmonary fibrosis

These conditions can cause symptoms.

You might:

• feel short of breath
• cough
• wheeze
• have lots of phlegm
• feel tired, anxious or sad

Symptoms can be different for everyone and may come and go. They can be worse at some times more than others. It is okay if you need support.

Working with a lung condition

Everyone’s experience with a lung condition is different. If you are in work, or are returning to work, the right support from your employer can help. Your employer can make changes  at work (called reasonable adjustments). These will help make things easier for you. Usual everyday life is important but don’t rush. Do things when you are ready.   

What does the law say?

You have the right to reasonable adjustments at work under the Equality Act. The Equality  Act 2010 protects people with disabilities. It says employers must make reasonable  adjustments to help you work.

You are considered disabled under the law if your symptoms make daily tasks harder for at least 12 months and this has a big effect on your life. An example would be if it takes you  much longer to get dressed since your lung condition.

Getting support at work

Be open and honest about how your symptoms affect you. Think about both your good and bad days. This will improve your manager’s understanding of your lung condition, and  they’ll be able to support you better.

Make a return-to-work plan with your employer. This could include starting with fewer hours and making changes to your job. Write down your plan so you can review it later.

Have regular meetings with your manager to talk about how things are going.

Helpful changes at work

You may need to agree these with your manager, but here are some ideas that might make work easier:

If you feel very tired (fatigue):

• return to work on fewer hours and build up slowly
• take rest breaks
• change your work tasks for a while
• work flexibly – maybe start later or work from home

If you have physical symptoms (like shortness of breath or coughing):

• give yourself extra time to finish tasks
• reduce walking - work on the ground floor or near the toilets
• change your duties if some are too hard
• sit down when you can or work with others on physical tasks
• use equipment to help you
• keep any medicines you need nearby   

If you feel low or anxious:

• have regular check-ins with your manager to talk about how you feel
• take short breaks in a quiet place
• do what you need to do to help your mood

If you have medical appointments:

• if you can choose the appointment time, try to fit it in around your work
• if you cannot choose the appointment time and it’s in work time, tell your manager – where possible they should let you go

If your symptoms get worse sometimes (flare ups):

• notice which tasks make things worse and avoid them for a while
• review your duties often

Absence triggers may be changed to help support with your condition. Talk to your manager about this. They may ask Occupational Health for advice.

Useful information

Asthma and Lung UK charity has resources to help people work with a lung condition. asthmaandlung.org.uk/living-with/working-lung-condition

Acas gives free, confidential advice on your rights at work. They can help with returning to work, reasonable adjustments and talking to your employer. acas.org.uk

Access to Work can provide grants and practical help if your health affects your job. This might include equipment, travel support or a workplace assistant. gov.uk/access-to-work

This activity is part of Healthy Working Life, a joint programme of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and NHS West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.