Flemish Agency for Persons with Disabilities (VAPH)

Pain is common in the workplace. 62% of Belgian employees suffer from physical complaints, such as muscle and joint pain and discomfort. What’s more, 20% are affected by persistent complaints. Physical complaints also account for 32% of long-term sickness absences in Belgium.

Vera Demil, an administrative employee at VAPH, has been dealing with chronic pain for years. She is supported by Karolien Corten, HR Generalist at VAPH, and Hadewyck Lagrou, a policymaker at VAPH. Vera, Hadewyck and Karolien share how employees suffering from pain remain in work at VAPH.

After attending the ‘Dealing with pain at work’ workshop, people suffering from pain feel less guilty.

Workshop on how to deal with pain

No two experiences of pain and work situations are the same. That’s precisely why IDEWE offers the ‘Dealing with pain at work’ workshop. “Our employees learn about the pain system as part of this prevention process. It involves a multidisciplinary approach from occupational doctors, ergonomists and occupational psychologists”, says Karolien Corten, HR Generalist at VAPH.

An expert with first-hand experience of suffering from pain presents the IDEWE workshop,  sharing valuable tips on how to deal with it. “The expert’s stories and experiences have taught me how to deal with pain. Not just at home, but also at work”, says Vera Demil, administrative employee at VAPH.

Employees in the HR department followed roughly the same training, but with the emphasis on support. “After the workshop, people suffering from pain feel reassured because they realise that they’re not alone in their situation. There are others in the same situation as them”, says Hadewyck Lagrou, policy entrepreneur at VAPH. 
 

We want to protect employees against physical complaints that can crop up in the workplace.

Physical activity at work

High levels of work pressure or emotional stress can cause or aggravate pain, as can an employee’s lifestyle and how they handle complaints. However, you can limit the impact of physical complaints by using different strategies and focusing on an integrated approach. A good example involves encouraging employees to exercise as much as possible, and using an under-desk bike while they’re at work at VAPH.

“We strive to protect employees against physical complaints that can crop up in the workplace as much as possible. Our work primarily consists of desk work, where you’re sitting down for a long time. That’s exactly why we’re putting lots of effort into getting people moving”, says Hadewyck Lagrou, policy entrepreneur at VAPH. 
 

Together with IDEWE, we make sure every employee can stay on board.

A positive working atmosphere

A supportive work environment determines whether employees suffering from pain stay in work or make a successful return. Their own perceptions of pain and work, as well as their behaviour when in pain, also play an important role. “If people can work in a positive environment, you’ll notice that they are more productive. And that gives the entire organisation a boost”, adds Karolien.

“I think it’s especially important that people suffering from chronic pain feel supported and understood. Not only by colleagues, but also by managers. That is crucial for general wellbeing at work, and to keep everyone in work. As an ergonomics coach, we offer support to people suffering from chronic pain. We’re taking huge steps forward in this area thanks to IDEWE. This allows us to make sure that every employee can stay on board”, concludes Hadewyck.