Our campaign on migraine in the workplace

We want everyone with migraine to get the support they deserve in the workplace

Too many people face stigma and discrimination in the workplace.

In our report ‘Challenging stigma: the urgent need to improve workplace support for people with migraine Workplace briefing 2025‘ we found that among people with migraine:

15% have previously been forced to move from full-time to part-time work

19% 19% have had to leave a job entirely

58% have avoided telling an employer about their migraine, worrying that they may not be hired, promoted or taken seriously

We want to change this

In many cases, straightforward adjustments – and even simple understanding – can transform a person with migraine’s ability to work.

We recently responded to the Government consultation on pathways to work highlighting:

  • People with migraine must be taken seriously by Department for Work and Pensions staff. At all levels of the health system, patients living with migraine frequently report being met with a lack of understanding or feeling dismissed, and this must not affect their eligibility for welfare
  • Many people with migraine could manage their migraine and work more consistently if they benefitted from better healthcare. Better training for GPs, consistent access to life-transforming medication and access to specialists where necessary would enable more people to work
  • A truly effective welfare service would not place the onus on employees but would instead act as their advocate, intervening on their behalf when employers fail to make reasonable adjustments that would enable them to work
  • Read our full submission 

The Migraine Trust’s Workplace Pledge

As a first step towards demonstrating that they want to better understand and support their employees with migraine, an organisation can sign up to The Migraine Trust’s Workplace Pledge.

This demonstrates that they fully understand how migraine can impact working life, and are taking steps to ensure their staff are supported at work.

If you would like to ask your workplace to sign up to the Workplace Pledge, you could use this template email to explain the importance and benefits of being a migraine-friendly employer.

Dear [manager’s or HR lead’s name],

I am writing to request that you consider supporting The Migraine Trust’s Workplace Pledge.

I live with migraine, a common but complex, long-term health condition. It is more than just a headache: it can involve severe pain, sensory sensitivity, nausea and cognitive difficulties, which can significantly impact a person’s ability to work during an attack. You can find out more in a recent report by The Migraine Trust

Often, straightforward adjustments – and simply better understanding – can be transformative for people with migraine and their ability to fulfil their potential at work.

I am a supporter of The Migraine Trust and am working with the charity to help create a culture where staff living with migraine feel understood and supported in their employment and in every workplace.

I would be grateful if you would consider supporting The Migraine Trust’s Workplace Pledge. The Pledge allows people with migraine to feel understood and supported and, in turn, enables them to do their best work.

If you have any questions about The Migraine Trust’s Workplace Pledge, please contact campaigns@migrainetrust.org. I would be grateful if you could let me know your thoughts on this opportunity.

Best wishes,
[Name and job title]

Speak out for people with migraine

You can help us to change the conversation, to challenge stigma, and push migraine on to the political agenda.

Find out how you can use your voice >

Resources for you 

We have lots of workplace resources that can help. These include tips to speak to your manager about reasonable adjustments and help with managing your migraine symptoms in the workplace.

This includes a: