Study: Workers with chronic pain benefit from accepting ‘sufficient worker body’

Lowell, MA — A University of Massachusetts-Lowell research team interviewed 66 workers across occupations and found that accepting a “sufficient worker body” reduces extra physical and mental fatigue for those with chronic pain.

Key Research Findings

The team reported that workers often feel trapped pursuing an “ideal worker body.” Accepting that “I can still be a very good worker, but I might need to do things differently” eased self-imposed pressure and supported sustainable work methods, according to Safety+Health Magazine.

The condition affects around a quarter of U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Limitations of Standard Accommodations

Employers frequently provide one-size-fits-all measures such as ergonomic chairs or sit-stand desks. These steps are not always effective because body and pain experiences vary.

Manager and Organization Actions

Elana Feldman stated that managers should partner with employees to identify what works for them individually. Workers given flexibility often develop creative solutions, including a deli worker using a cart to reduce lifting strain and a sonographer scanning with both arms.

Feldman added that organizations benefit when they focus less on how work appears and more on whether work gets done through direct conversations with employees.

The study was published in the Academy of Management Journal, according to Safety+Health Magazine.