Cystic Fibrosis Reasonable Adjustments Guide

Create an Inclusive Workplace for Applicants and Employees with Cystic Fibrosis

Supporting someone with cystic fibrosis during recruitment or at work can involve a wide range of considerations, and knowing what reasonable adjustments may help is not always straightforward.

This practical Cystic Fibrosis Reasonable Adjustments Guide helps employees, employers, managers and HR professionals better understand some of the symptoms and workplace barriers associated with cystic fibrosis, with practical examples of adjustments and support that can be considered around the individual’s needs.

Whether you are preparing for a conversation about reasonable adjustments, recruiting someone with cystic fibrosis, supporting an employee at work or helping them return following a period of absence, the guide provides a useful starting point without having to research everything from scratch.

Understanding Cystic Fibrosis at Work

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic condition that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. Its impact can vary from person to person and may include respiratory symptoms, recurrent infections, digestive difficulties and the need for regular treatments.

The guide provides an overview of cystic fibrosis alongside examples of common symptoms, potential workplace barriers and tailored support. It considers how factors such as treatment routines, medical appointments, infection risks, physical demands and working arrangements may affect someone at work, as well as practical support that may help.

This provides useful context for understanding how cystic fibrosis may affect someone at work before considering what reasonable adjustments could be appropriate for the individual.

Reasonable Adjustments Throughout Employment

The guide considers reasonable adjustments at three important stages, recognising that the support someone needs may vary depending on their circumstances.

During recruitment
Practical considerations include flexible scheduling, considering the interview environment, allowing appropriate breaks and discussing any individual support that may help the applicant participate fully.

At work
The guide explores areas such as flexible working arrangements, time for treatments or appointments, regular breaks, task modification, homeworking where appropriate, reducing exposure to potential infection risks, colleague awareness and ongoing review of the support provided.

Returning from absence
Considerations include a phased or adaptable return to work, reviewing working hours and workload, allowing appropriate breaks and adjusting arrangements as the individual settles back into their role or their needs change.

Supporting the Individual, Not Just the Condition

No two people will experience cystic fibrosis in exactly the same way. Symptoms, treatment needs and the impact on someone’s work can vary considerably, as can the adjustments that may help them.

The guide encourages an individual approach by helping you:

• Consider the person’s role, circumstances and specific workplace barriers
• Explore adjustments and support that could help address their individual needs and workplace barriers
• Use the suggestions as a starting point for conversations rather than a fixed checklist
• Review support as circumstances or needs change
• Record relevant points and considerations using the included editable notes page

The notes page includes separate areas for during recruitment, at work and return from absence, helping you keep useful information organised for future reference.

The rest of the guide is provided as practical reference information and can be viewed on a computer or mobile device or printed for easy reference.

How the Guide Is Structured

The guide takes you from understanding cystic fibrosis and potential workplace barriers through to considering practical reasonable adjustments during recruitment, at work and when returning from absence, with an editable notes page for recording key points.

• Condition description
• Common symptoms, workplace barriers and tailored support
• Did You Know? fact page
• Reasonable adjustments during recruitment
• Reasonable adjustments at work
• Reasonable adjustments when returning from absence
• Editable notes page

Need Broader Reasonable Adjustments Support?

Our Reasonable Adjustments Bundles bring together practical resources to help you support a wider range of individual needs and put a more consistent approach to reasonable adjustments in place across your workplace.