Job Accommodations for 

People with Disease of the 

Liver

Fact Sheet Series

Job Accommodation Network 

Practical Solutions • Workplace Success 

Job Accommodation Network 

PO Box 6080 

Morgantown, WV 26506-6080 

(800)526-7234 {V) 

(877)781-9403 {TTY) 

jan@askjan.org 

askjan.org 

ODEP 

~ 

Office of Di sability 

Employment Policy 

A service of the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy 
 2 

JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

JOB ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PEOPLE

WITH DISEASE OF THE LIVER

There are many medical conditions that can affect the liver, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, 

liver cancer, Sarcoidosis, and Wilson’s disease. Symptoms vary from person to person, 

but common symptoms include fatigue and weakness, abdominal swelling and pain, 

muscle spasms, joint pain, jaundice, chemical sensitivity, suppressed immune system, 

itchy skin, loss of appetite, nausea, and weight loss.

The following is a quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be 

useful for people with diseases of the liver. For a more in depth discussion, access 

JAN's publications at http://askjan.org/media/atoz.htm. To discuss an accommodation 

situation with a consultant, contact JAN directly. 

Fatigue and Weakness:

• Flexible leave

• Modified schedule with periodic rest breaks

• Work from home

• Ergonomic workstation and/ or aids to decrease the physical demands of the job

• Reassignment to a less physically and medically demanding job

Treatment Needs: 

• Flexible leave

• Modified schedule

• Work at home

Suppressed Immune System: 

• Private office with its own ventilation

• Work at home

Chemical Sensitivity: 

• Air purification

• Modified schedule with periodic rest breaks 

• Smoke and fragrance-free work environment

• Work from home

• Alternative pest management practice that will not require the use of chemicals

• Respirator 

Abdominal Swelling and Pain: 

• Flexible leave 

• Modified schedule with rest breaks

• Work at home

I 
 3 

Muscle Spasms and Joint Pain: 

• Flexible leave

• Modified schedule with rest breaks

• Adjustable height workstation to allow for alternating sitting and standing

• Reassignment to less physically demanding job

Resources Specifically for People with Disease of the Liver

American Liver Foundation

75 Maiden Lane, Suite 603

New York, NY 10038

Toll Free: (800)465-4837

Direct: (212)668-1000

Fax: (212)483-8179

Phone: (800)443-7872

info@liverfoundation.org 

http://www.liverfoundation.org 

Hepatitis Foundation International 

504 Blick Drive

Silver Spring, MD 20904

Toll Free: (800)891-0707

Direct: (301)622-4200

Fax: (301)622-4702

hfi@comcast.net

http://www.hepfi.org/

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

2 Information Way

Bethesda, MD 20892-3570

Toll Free: (800)891-5389

TTY: (800)569-1162

Fax: (703)738-4929

nddic@info.niddk.nih.gov

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/

 

United Network for Organ Sharing

P.O. Box 2484

Richmond, VA 23218

Toll Free: (888)894-6361

Direct: (804)782-4800

Fax: (804)782-4817

http://www.unos.org

Updated 3/23/10
 4 

This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network, funded by a 

contract agreement from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment 

Policy (DOL079RP20426). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the 

position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of trade names, 

commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of 

Labor.