Thursday, June 11, 2026

#OffenGesagt addresses chronic illness in working life

The Hertie Foundation is using its #OffenGesagt campaign to highlight how chronic illnesses are discussed in the workplace. The initiative focuses on how employees, colleagues and managers can communicate when health conditions affect day-to-day work.

The campaign addresses people living with conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, endometriosis, migraine and irritable bowel syndrome. Many symptoms are not visible at work, including fatigue, pain, concentration problems or fluctuating capacity. This lack of visibility can contribute to misunderstandings and bias.

Social media campaign with multiple viewpoints

#OffenGesagt is designed primarily for digital channels and social media. Creators, multipliers and expert voices discuss everyday workplace situations from personal, professional and sometimes humorous perspectives. The content covers difficult conversations, helpful and unhelpful phrases, structural barriers and practical forms of support within teams.

Participants named in the campaign include Skatschie, Defne, Sophia, Lasse Rheingans, Blessed, Linella, Mertcan, Kiki, Magdalena Rogl, Lini, Nils Behrens, Prof. Dr. Mandy Mangler, Anna and Sükrü. They contribute different conditions, professional contexts and experiences.

Language as part of workplace culture

A key element of the initiative is the role of language. The foundation contrasts well-intentioned comments that may create pressure with alternatives that leave more space for listening and concrete support. The campaign encourages conversations that do not force people to disclose more than they choose to share.

According to the campaign’s examples, asking what would help in the working environment can be more useful than general statements about strength or mindset. The message is aimed not only at people with chronic illnesses, but also at colleagues, HR professionals and employers.

Why it matters for employers

According to the Hertie Foundation, more than 40 percent of people in Germany live with a chronic illness. For the labour market, this is relevant in the context of skills shortages. The campaign underlines that a diagnosis does not define a person’s skills, competence or contribution at work.

The foundation has been addressing chronic illness in the workplace on a regular basis since 2022. In February 2025, it held a panel discussion with the Hesse regional association of the German Multiple Sclerosis Society at the Frankfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce. The panel included representatives from Sanofi-Aventis, Hays, the Federal Employment Agency and the mobility sector.

For pharma and healthcare communications, #OffenGesagt illustrates how education about chronic conditions can be linked with digital formats, personal voices and workplace-related content. The campaign frames the issue as a matter of corporate culture, inclusion and communication rather than as an individual challenge alone.