How it feels - navigating the world of work

Lots of people get in touch to tell us that they are worried about how a diagnosis of Crohn’s or Colitis might impact them at work. Whatever your role is, if you live with Crohn’s or Colitis, the world of work can present real challenges – from worrying about toilet access to figuring out how to talk to your manager or colleagues about your condition. Farish, a Commercial Director who has been living with Colitis for 12 years, has used his own experiences to help him advocate for equality and diversity in his own workplace. This is his story. 

It all started when I saw blood in my poo and felt urgency to go to the toilet. After a trip to the GP, things moved pretty quickly and I was soon diagnosed with Ulcerative Colitis. I began taking medication, which didn't help much, and I was having to travel a lot for my job, which made the ongoing symptoms really stressful. 

Doctors agreed that stoma surgery would be my best option, as the only way to control my symptoms and help me to live the life I wanted to be living. Since the operation, I have also had a proctectomy or “Ken butt surgery”. I can’t say that any of it has been easy and I have been in a lot of pain at times and had to take a fair bit of time off work.

I think it’s helped that I’ve also always been open and honest about my condition and my stoma bag, including mentioning it to prospective employers at the interview stage. I’m not shy about it because, if anything, my employers need to know so they can just make things easier and more accessible. I’ve found the best way to get support is being totally honest.

As well as talking about it during recruitment and with managers, I’m also passionate about workplace diversity in general. I’m now part of my company’s Equality and Diversity panel, running regular workshops on different topics, including hidden conditions like Crohn’s or Colitis. I always try to highlight how they might impact someone at work, so more people are aware.

Living with Colitis isn’t always straightforward when it comes to working, but with the right support and an open and honest attitude, I’ve found that my condition has never held me back from being successful in the workplace. I have even managed to use it to make positive changes at work by spreading the message about invisible conditions, which is something I’m very proud of.