Returning to a New Job with Chronic Illness – Comprehensive Guide (includes Disclosure Letter)

Returning to a New Job with Chronic Illness – Comprehensive Guide

Navigating a new job while managing a chronic illness can feel overwhelming. As someone living with ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, and other chronic conditions for nearly 20 years—and a seasoned HR professional with 25 years’ experience—I’ve created this complete guide to help you confidently start or return to work with the right support.

This guide covers everything you need to know about:

• ✅Understanding your employment rights
• ✅How and when to disclose your condition
• ✅Requesting reasonable adjustments that work for you
• ✅Practical tips to manage your health at work
• ✅Dealing with challenges and maintaining wellbeing
• ✅A professional disclosure template letter included to make your communication easier

This is a compassionate, practical resource written from lived experience and professional knowledge, designed specifically for people with chronic illness stepping into a new job.