A question of trust: Being open about illness or disabilities in the workplace

A question of trust:
Being open about illness or disabilities in the workplace

Physical and mental health – for many people, this remains a private matter. Yet we spend a large part of our lives at work, where how we feel is just as important. Here, some of our staff talk about how they found the courage to be open about their illness or disability in the workplace as well as about what they want from their teams.

A question of trust

Sidnei Soares doesn't have a choice: He has to address his physical health at work because he is deaf. Sidnei has worked as a forklift driver at the REHAU plant in São Paulo, Brazil since 2007 and carries a great deal of responsibility. He can lip read and speak, which helps him communicate with everyone around him. "We also use a bit of sign language, which I taught my colleagues," says Sidnei. If necessary, a notepad can also help. The forklift operator, who used to cook in a commercial kitchen, feels very much at home in his team: "I like the parties and my friends. Everyone is very respectful and colleagues never talk behind my back, as I then wouldn't be able to understand them because I couldn't read their lips. The sense of community at REHAU and the interaction with people are great," says Sidnei. This means that he can make full use of his strengths; his eye for detail, his talent for organizing and his precise way of working. Sidnei has only one wish to make things easier for deaf people to work: "It would be great if people were more interested in learning sign language. Everyone should be curious and ask deaf people about the most important signs. I'm always willing to teach others if I'm asked.

Sidnei Soares

Franz Huelle Team

Mental health: breaking down taboos

Eventually, the point was reached where he couldn't carry on. "I was irritable, tired all the time, shouting," Franz Huelle says when he recalls five years ago. His family, his team, his HR supervisor – they all gave him feedback at that time: You're not yourself anymore. Then Franz admitted to himself: I am sick. I have burnout. High pressure at work as a product engineering manager in Ross-on-Wye, England, the loss of both parents, it had all just become too much. Franz decided to take several months off work to get his problems under control. "For me, it was never a private matter," says Franz. He believes that people spend so much time at work that it is normal to discuss important issues, such as his own health. "I think it also has something to do with trust. I put this into practice by revealing things about myself and also by offering my team the opportunity to find space in the workplace to talk about their personal issues and problems. Anyone who opens up and feels comfortable, who experiences mutual understanding and support, is ultimately a better employee because he or she is happier."

Legal framework

In Germany, there is a special legal framework: There are representative bodies that advocate for the interests of people with disabilities in the workplace. Vanessa Driessen and Andre Mattheyer are members of the representative body for employees with disabilities at REHAU Industries in Rehau, Germany. "We want to break down prejudices. As a representative body for disabled employees, we can only provide support when we know that colleagues are affected. For that, you need a climate where people dare to speak up," says Vanessa. André adds, "Especially with disabilities that you can't see, there are big prejudices. People with depression, chronic illnesses or anxiety disorders often face the prejudice that there's nothing wrong with them, they shouldn't make such a fuss. That's where we come in."

In the UK, Mental Health First Aiders have a very similar goal. Sinead Ferron-Moody is one of these certified first aiders and she can also train employees to become first aiders. "We believe that mental and emotional health are just as important as physical health," says Sinead. Her goal, she says, is to break taboos and reduce stigma. Mental Health First Aiders are available at all sites in the UK to provide confidential, non-judgmental and supportive conversations at anytime. For Franz, being open about suffering from burnout was just the right thing to do: "I'm still grateful that my team had the courage to tell me how obnoxious I was being." He appreciates working with people who take care of each other, "including me as the boss," says Franz. "My wish for everyone at REHAU, no matter where they are in the world or what area they work in, is that he or she is able to open up at work if something is wrong with their health," Franz says. His motto: "It's okay to not be okay." It's fine to admit that something is wrong. This kind of culture creates loyal and satisfied employees as well as strong teams that still perform well, even in crises and in the event of breakdowns.

Vanessa Driessen and Andre Mattheyer

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You want to learn more about innovations at REHAU?

You'll find insights into new technologies, further development of know-how and interviews with employees worldwide here.