On my last day at my previous job, I couldn’t bring myself to go in. For months, I had been using sick days without fully understanding why—I was 25, working in product management at a tech company, while secretly struggling with a health crisis. After multiple ER visits and specialist consultations, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, which affects millions, with women making up 80% of those diagnosed.
While caregiving and workplace bias are recognized obstacles for women, chronic illness like autoimmune disease is often overlooked, despite being a significant factor. This invisible ‘autoimmune career ceiling’ forces many women to make tough private decisions—turning down promotions, avoiding travel, or staying in less demanding roles to manage their health. A national survey of U.S. women with autoimmune conditions revealed 70% feel their career potential was limited, with many reducing hours or staying in jobs solely for health insurance.
Because symptoms such as fatigue and brain fog are invisible at work, many women don’t disclose their diagnosis for fear of judgment or being passed over. Employers can help by offering flexibility, remote work options, and creating safe environments for disclosure. Providing care that addresses root causes, not just symptoms, benefits both employees and organizations.
This story is not unique—many women are silently adapting their careers to conditions unseen by colleagues. Recognizing and addressing this invisible barrier is essential to change the workplace for the better.
