Tortoise or hare? Supporting the chronotope preference of employees with fluctuating chronic illness symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim is to understand how to facilitate the job retention of employees with chronic illness. We focus on multiple sclerosis (MS) as a criterion chronic illness.

DESIGN: An opportunity sample of 20 individuals of working age (13 female; 7 male) were recruited who had been in paid employment for over 28 months with a concurrent diagnosis of MS. Participants took part in one of three focus groups with a topic guide comprising keywords: work, coping, performance, support, future, expectations, sharing and symptoms. Data were analysed using dialogical analysis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: As a qualitative study, no outcome measure was used. However, the specific focus of interest was to search for differential patterns of 'timespace' - chronotope - that people with chronic illness utilise to manage their condition in the workplace.

RESULTS: Participants oriented to two distinct chronotope types: unsustainable epic (characterised by condensed time) and temporary idyll (characterized by condensed space). Perceived managerial discretion was identified as possibly influencing participants' chronotope preference.

CONCLUSION: Identifying chronotope preference has practical implications for health psychologists and related professionals who provide and advise on support to facilitate people with chronic illness to thrive in the workplace.