Accommodation Ideas for People With Migraines at Work
Following are some specific areas in which an employer may be able to accommodate an employee who has
migraines:
- Lighting
- Noise
- Smell/fragrance
- Other accommodations.
Lighting Triggers
Accommodation ideas for lighting may include:
- Adding fluorescent light filters to existing fluorescent lights to create a more natural lighting
- Changing lighting completely
- Providing an anti-glare filter for the employee's computer monitor
- Providing the employee with a liquid crystal display monitor that has a better refresh rate
- Moving the employee to a private area to allow for personal adjustment to appropriate lighting
- Allowing the employee to wear sunglasses or anti-glare glasses in the work area
- Allowing telework.
Noise Triggers
Accommodation ideas for noise may include:
- Moving the employee to a more private area or away from high-traffic areas
- Providing an environmental sound machine to help mask distracting sounds
- Providing noise canceling headsets
- Providing sound absorption panels
- Encouraging coworkers to keep non-work-related conversation to a minimum.
Smell/Fragrance Triggers
Accommodation ideas for smells and scents may include:
- Implementing a fragrance-free policy
- Requesting that employees voluntarily refrain from wearing fragrances
- Allowing telework
- Moving the employee to an area where the fragrances are not as strong
- Allowing a flexible schedule
- Providing air purification systems.
Other
Other accommodation ideas may include:
- Providing flexible leave when the employee is experiencing a migraine
- Allowing the employee to telework when the employee is experiencing a migraine
- Not requiring the employee to attend after-hours social functions if he or she is affected by a disruption in sleep patterns
- Providing the employee with a dark, private area to go to when experiencing a migraine.
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