The experience of employees using telework as an accommodation for health-related reasons: the importance to focus on the employee-manager relationship.

BACKGROUND: Workers living with chronic illness or fulfilling caregiving responsibilities may encounter specific challenges in maintaining employment, often necessitating workplace accommodations. The rise of telework following the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to its potential as an accommodation measure, notably by offering greater flexibility, facilitating work-life balance, and reducing physical and logistical barriers to job retention.

METHODS: This qualitative study examined the experiences of individuals with chronic illness or caregiving responsibilities who use telework as an accommodation, with specific attention to the employee-manager relationship within this context. Using an interpretive descriptive design, two focus group discussions were conducted with 12 participants. Among participants, eight identified as workers with chronic illness, and four as caregivers.

RESULTS: Four key themes emerged regarding challenges in the employee-manager relationship: negotiation of accommodations, management of telework, clarification and respect of boundaries, and maintenance of social connections. Findings underscore the importance of the quality of the employee-manager relationship and the critical role of trust, as framed within leader-member exchange (LMX) theory.

CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening trust and addressing workplace stigmas related to health status are crucial to fostering equitable telework accommodations, particularly in the context of labor shortages. Raising organizational awareness to break stereotypes and promote inclusivity is essential. Further research is needed to assess telework as a flexible and inclusive solution to support workers with health-related challenges or caregiving responsibilities.