Political representatives take the first step to change in the workplace with The Migraine Trust’s Workplace Pledge. 

One in seven people are affected by migraine, and it’s most common in adults of working age. 

Migraine is a complex, long-term health condition. If you have migraine, you have repeated migraine attacks. Migraine attacks can be a whole-body experience and with symptoms including feeling fatigued, sick, and being sensitive to light and sound. Despite the severity of migraine attacks it’s commonly misunderstood for being ‘just a headache’.

It’s this misunderstanding that’s led to a striking 58% of people with migraine having avoided disclosing their condition to employers or colleagues, often due to fear of not being taken seriously, while over half of employees that have disclosed say their workplace has not made reasonable adjustments to support them. The implications of this fear and lack of support are substantial: 15% of people with migraine had been forced to move from full-time to part-time work and 19% had been forced to leave a job entirely. Employers have the power to change this! 

We’re calling for workplaces across the UK to sign up to The Migraine Trust’s Workplace Pledge to help create a culture where staff living with migraine feel understood and supported in their employment.

Recently, five political representatives from across the UK decided to lead by example by signing up to the Migraine Workforce Pledge: Members of Scottish Parliament Monica Lennon and Claire Baker, Members of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Nick Mathison and Paula Bradshaw and MP Caroline Nokes. 

Nick Mathison MLA 

“I’m pleased to support The Migraine Trust’s Workforce Pledge and hope that local and national businesses will consider signing up too. Being open to small workplace adjustments could make a big difference to the 1 in 7 people living with migraine.”

Claire Baker MSP

“Earlier this year I asked the Scottish Parliament what was being done to improve training and pathways for diagnosing and managing migraines.  While there is still more to be done to treat migraine, it’s important that employers, including myself, do what we can to recognise migraine and support those living with it. I’ve signed the workplace pledge – will you?”

Monica Lennon MSP

“I’m concerned and saddened by migraine figures across the UK. They show over 58% of those with migraine have avoided telling their employer for fear of being judged, and 19% have had to leave their jobs entirely. No one should be penalised for living with a health condition, nor should they fear speaking out or have to leave their job as a result. Join me and sign The Migraine Trust’s Workplace Pledge to create better working conditions for people living with migraine.”

Paula Bradshaw MLA

“I have been contacted by constituents over the years who have lived with migraine and I know what a difference understanding and support can make.  I’d recommend all employers in my constituency consider taking the pledge. It’s the first step in ensuring people with migraine in Northern Ireland feel supported and can stay in work.” 

Caroline Nokes MP

“Having felt the effects of migraine in Parliament, at the Dispatch Box, I know how difficult it is to work through it. I encourage businesses in my constituency and beyond to sign the Workplace Pledge and show their employees with migraine that they are willing to support them – this would make a huge difference to them personally and to their ability to do their best work.”

These political representatives know that signing this pledge and showing their employees they understand migraine will open up conversations and make it easier for them to be supported in the future. By taking the workplace pledge, they’ve agreed to:

• Share The Migraine Trust information resources with staff 
• Offer flexible working, where possible, to enable staff to manage where and when they work
• Review key policies (such as sickness policies and display screen policies) to ensure they align with best practice for supporting staff with migraine
• Review and address common environmental triggers in the workplace, such as types of lighting in use, noise levels, stress and breaks for any employees who experience migraine

These are just a few of the small actions that signatories can take that could make a big difference to those living with migraine. Sandip is one of many people with migraine who found flexible working made a huge difference. 

What may trigger an attack is different for every individual, which is why the flexibility to request small adjustments at work could drastically reduce someone’s symptoms and in turn keep them in work.

Join Nick, Claire, Monica, Paula and Caroline by taking the Workplace Pledge and beginning to better understand and support the people you employ living with migraine.