What is a migraine-supportive workplace?

Creating a migraine-supportive work environment can begin by reducing common triggers that cause these types of headaches. It also makes it easier to deal with a migraine at work if one develops. Other than reducing common triggers, you can also offer flexible work schedules, ensure access to necessary medications and healthcare and build a culture of understanding and empathy.

Benefits of supporting employees with migraines at work

Creating a migraine-supportive environment comes with many benefits, including:

• Inclusion and respect: Taking migraine prevention into consideration makes those who suffer feel included and respected. It shows you value their contributions and want to create a safe workspace for them.
• Flexibility: By being flexible with your workforce, you allow them to manage their migraines effectively while contributing to the workload.
• Support: Adding accommodations for migraines at work shows support for your employees’ needs. Employees who feel supported typically have higher wellbeing.
• Leadership: Employees tend to feel greater wellbeing when they work under a compassionate leadership team that actively listens to them.

9 ways to create a migraine-supportive workplace

The following tips can help you create a supportive environment and minimize employees missing work due to migraines.

1. Learn more about migraines and triggers

Understanding what triggers migraine headaches and the effects they have can help you empathize with employees who experience them. A migraine is more than a bad headache. The pain is often debilitating and can affect people for several days. Some people also experience vision disturbances, nausea, fatigue and other symptoms, affecting their ability to function.

Knowing the triggers and links between migraines and work environments helps in making changes. Common triggers include:

• Bright and artificial light
• Loud sounds
• Strong odors
• Stress
• Physical exertion
• Certain foods or drinks
• Physical changes

2. Talk to employees who manage working with migraine pain

Individuals experience migraines differently, from their triggers and symptoms to their ideal treatment and length of recovery. If any of your team members suffer from migraines, consider getting input from them on their needs and challenges.

It’s important to approach these conversations with sensitivity and confidentiality, focusing on finding solutions that support the employee’s wellbeing and productivity.

3. Develop migraine-friendly work policies

Updating your policies and procedures to create a migraine-sensitive workplace is another way to support your team members. Examples of policies and procedures may include:

• Unlimited PTO to allow people to take the time off they need
• Flexibleschedules to work around migraines
• Process for requesting accommodations

4. Reduce common triggers office-wide

Consider the following changes to minimize migraines at work:

• Fewer fragrances: Examine cleaning products, air fresheners and other fragrances within the office. Using an air purifier may also help remove odors from the office air.
• Light levels: Changing harsh overhead lighting can create a more soothing environment and cut down on migraines at work. Enhancing natural light may also help if it’s not too bright.
• Noise: Installing soundproofing materials on walls or rugs on floors helps reduce echoes, creating a quieter workplace . You might also enforce expectations for keeping noise levels low in the office or having dedicated quiet areas.
• Water and snacks: Readily available water and healthy snacks may help employees prevent or control migraines.

5. Offer individual migraine accommodations

Because triggers can vary, offer employees who experience migraines at work the option to request accommodations. Some examples may include:

• Anti-glare computer screens
• Noise-reducing headphones
• Filters over lights to minimize glare and brightness
• Window coverings to block harsh sunlight
• Quiet office or desk location
• Ergonomic seating or standing workstations

6. Allow for flexibility

Flexible work arrangements encourage employees to manage their migraines effectively without missing work. Allowing remote work enables employees to work in controlled environments with fewer migraine triggers.

Some employees benefit from flexibility in scheduling. If migraines typically hit at a particular time, they can adjust their schedules to avoid those times.

7. Set up a recovery space

Having a quiet space in the office creates a recovery area when a team member needs to rest and remove themselves from stimuli.

8. Provide education

Expand your training and development program to extend beyond work-specific knowledge and include health and social topics. For instance, educate your team on why wearing heavy perfume or using strong air fresheners might affect their colleagues.

Health workshops offer a way to support employees with migraines. Bring in a doctor or nurse who’s well-versed in migraines to share tips on working with migraine headaches. Your team members might learn new tips even if they’ve dealt with headaches for some time.

Ensure employees understand their health insurance benefits. This empowers them to seek medical treatment for their migraines if they haven’t already. Include insurance components in your onboarding process so new employees understand how to utilize the coverage to support their migraine relief.

9. Reduce stress

High stress levels trigger migraines in some individuals. While stress is inevitable in life, preventing excessive stress for your employees helps them maintain a healthy balance. Ways to do this include:

• Setting realistic goals and expectations
• Providing the necessary tools and support employees need to meet expectations
• Filling vacant positions quickly to maintain proper staffing
• Fostering a collaborative culture without intense competition
• Encouraging employees to take PTO
• Recognizing employees for their work
• Encouraging communication and valuing what your employees say
• Offering robust benefits, including an employee assistance program

FAQs about creating a migraine-supportive workplace

What are the benefits of creating a migraine-supportive workplace?

A migraine-supportive space may help reduce missed work time by preventing disruptive headaches. With fewer migraines, employees can stay focused and produce high-quality work. Making changes to the environment shows you value your employees and are willing to accommodate various needs, which can boost morale and wellbeing.

Are migraines a major concern in the workplace?

With common triggers present in the average office, taking steps to reduce the risk of a migraine at work benefits the entire workforce. Even if just one person on your team deals with migraine headaches, your efforts can show support.