About this session
Digestive conditions can affect concentration, energy, attendance, confidence and the ability to work comfortably, yet many employees hesitate to raise them with a manager.
This session helps managers respond with empathy, protect privacy and focus on practical support rather than trying to understand or assess the condition itself.
Managers explore common workplace pressure points, useful conversation approaches and realistic adjustments around meetings, breaks, travel, shifts and access to facilities.
The emphasis is on creating a supportive working environment without making assumptions or requiring unnecessary personal detail.
What your people take away
- Understand how digestive conditions may affect working life
- Recognize signs that an employee may need a supportive conversation
- Respond calmly and respectfully when someone raises a concern
- Focus on workplace impact rather than medical details
- Explore practical adjustments across different roles and schedules
- Build team practices that make support easier to access
Shared with you
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- What each length covers, 30 minutes to full day
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What each length covers
30 minutes
30 Minutes — Key Points: Having a Supportive ConversationA focused 30-minute session on three key points from Having a Supportive Conversation: opening the conversation, listening for workplace needs and responding without dismissing.
- Opening the conversation
- Listening for workplace needs
- Responding without dismissing
Covers 3 of 4 points in Having a Supportive Conversation.
60 minutes
Supportive conversations and practical workplace adjustments managers can use immediately.
- Module 1: Having a Supportive Conversation
- Live Q&A
Covers 1 of 4 parts: Having a Supportive Conversation.
90 minutes
Everything in the 60-minute session, plus practical support across meetings, breaks, travel and facilities.
- Module 1: Having a Supportive Conversation
- Module 2: Practical Workplace Support
- Live Q&A
Covers 2 of 4 parts: Having a Supportive Conversation and Practical Workplace Support.
3 hours
Covers 3 of 4 parts: Having a Supportive Conversation, Practical Workplace Support and Understanding Digestive Conditions at Work.
Full day
Full coverage of all four modules, including understanding digestive conditions and building a supportive team environment.
- Module 1: Having a Supportive Conversation
- Module 2: Practical Workplace Support
- Module 3: Understanding Digestive Conditions at Work
- Module 4: Building a More Supportive Team Environment
- Live Q&A
Covers all 4 parts.
What’s covered
Having a Supportive Conversation
Every length- Opening the conversationThe facilitator models respectful ways to begin, such as asking whether anything at work is making the situation harder.
- Listening for workplace needsManagers practice focusing on what the employee is experiencing during the working day and what might help.
- Responding without dismissingParticipants explore common unhelpful responses, including minimizing symptoms, offering quick dietary advice or comparing the employee with someone else.
- Agreeing next stepsManagers practice summarizing what they have heard, confirming any immediate actions and deciding when to review the arrangement.
Practical Workplace Support
90 minutes and longer- Meetings and breaksParticipants explore options such as allowing someone to step out of a long meeting, avoiding unnecessary back-to-back scheduling or providing more predictable breaks.
- Toilet access and locationManagers consider how distance from facilities, restricted access or tightly controlled breaks can affect an employee’s ability to work comfortably.
- Travel, events and cateringParticipants work through situations involving business travel, conferences, team meals and off-site events.
- Flexibility during flare-upsThe facilitator explores temporary options such as adjusted start times, remote work, reduced travel or changes to specific duties where appropriate.
Understanding Digestive Conditions at Work
3 hours and longer- The workplace impactThe facilitator explains how symptoms such as pain, fatigue, urgency, bloating, reflux and unpredictable bowel habits may affect concentration, attendance and confidence.
- Visible and invisible challengesParticipants consider common situations such as repeated short breaks, difficulty joining long meetings, reluctance to travel or changes in eating routines.
- Why employees may stay quietThe facilitator explores embarrassment, stigma, fear of being judged and concern about career impact.
- The manager’s roleParticipants distinguish between supporting someone at work and trying to diagnose, advise or investigate their condition.
Building a More Supportive Team Environment
Full day only- Normalize practical supportParticipants explore how managers can make breaks, hydration, movement and access to facilities feel like ordinary workplace needs rather than special favors.
- Protect privacyManagers consider what information genuinely needs to be shared and with whom.
- Review what is workingThe facilitator guides managers to review adjustments based on whether they are practical, helpful and still needed.
- Build a manager action planParticipants identify one conversation habit, one team practice and one operational change they can improve.
Who it’s for
- Managers and team leaders supporting employees with digestive conditions
- HR and wellbeing teams building inclusive workplace practices
- Supervisors in shift-based, frontline or travel-heavy roles
- Anyone responsible for practical adjustments without providing medical advice
How booking works
- Book online. Create a free Workbliss profile, then pay with session credits, by card or by invoice.
- Pick a date. Choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or book now and set the date later.
- Choose your expert. Within 3 working days, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date.
- We deliver it. Your expert is briefed on your people and goals, then runs the session live online or at your site.
Questions about How Managers Can Support Digestive Conditions
How long is How Managers Can Support Digestive Conditions?
How Managers Can Support Digestive Conditions runs as 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, 3 hours or full day. You choose the length when you book. A 30-minute session covers three key points from Having a Supportive Conversation: opening the conversation, listening for workplace needs and responding without dismissing. A 60-minute session covers Having a Supportive Conversation in full, with a live Q&A. A 90-minute session adds Practical Workplace Support. A 3-hour session adds Understanding Digestive Conditions at Work. A full-day session adds Building a More Supportive Team Environment.
Can How Managers Can Support Digestive Conditions be delivered online or in person?
Yes, both. It runs live online, so every office can join at the same time, or in person at your site, in any country.
How do we book How Managers Can Support Digestive Conditions?
Create a free Workbliss profile with your work email, then open How Managers Can Support Digestive Conditions to see the price for each length and book it. You can pay with session credits, by card or by invoice, and choose a date at least 14 days ahead, or set it later.
Who leads the session?
A vetted Workbliss expert, briefed on your people, culture and goals before the session. After you book, we send you profiles of the experts available for your date within 3 working days, so you can choose who leads it.
Can it be tailored to our company?
Yes. Every session is shaped around your goals, your people and the benefits you already offer, and delivered by experts in your people’s languages.