A quarter of Canadian employees live with migraine, yet only 12% receive a proper diagnosis, highlighting a significant workplace health gap that costs the economy billions annually.
Pfizer Canada has launched its Out of Office for Migraine Awareness campaign for the second year, partnering with Migraine Canada and Migraine Quebec to address workplace stigma during Migraine Awareness Month in June.
The campaign asks Canadian organizations and employees to activate their out-of-office alerts for four hours — the minimum duration of an average migraine — to show solidarity with colleagues who experience the neurological condition.
Workplace impact undermines productivity
More than five million Canadians live with migraine, with prevalence peaking during prime working years in people’s 30s and 40s. Despite affecting a substantial portion of the workforce, the condition remains widely misunderstood in professional settings.
“Migraine is widely misunderstood in the workplace and ultimately leads employees to ‘push through,’ despite it reducing productivity and potentially leading to burnout,” said Debby Carreau, CEO and founder of inspiredHR, a human resources consultancy firm.
The economic impact is substantial. Migraine costs the Canadian economy billions of dollars each year, with missed workdays alone accounting for $980 million annually, according to Dr. Will Kingston, a neurologist at Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto.
“Despite this, migraine remains underdiagnosed due to a lack of education and training on where to access resources for support, leading to profound impact on work performance and wellbeing,” Kingston said.
Simple steps to reduce stigma
The campaign provides organizations with resources to better understand absenteeism and presenteeism — when employees are present but not fully functioning due to illness. The out-of-office alert serves as a conversation starter to help colleagues support one another.
“Migraine can be physically and mentally debilitating for millions of Canadians, often going unnoticed by peers,” said Wendy Gerhart, executive director of Migraine Canada. “The OOO Alert is a simple step that colleagues can share to show compassion and ignite more meaningful dialogue around migraine in the workplace.”
The campaign addresses the tendency for migraine to be trivialized in professional environments, where it’s often misunderstood as being directly related to one’s ability to work.
Healthcare professionals back workplace support
Medical professionals emphasize that proper workplace management can significantly reduce migraine’s impact on both employees and employers.
“Migraine is a chronic disease without a definitive cure, yet with proper management especially in the workplace, the impact can be significantly reduced,” said Dr. Heather Pim, associate clinical professor of neurology at the University of Montreal and president of Migraine Quebec.
Véronique Clément, executive director of Migraine Quebec, noted that the campaign provides an opportunity for employers to support colleagues who may feel limited and isolated in the workplace.
“We work hard to provide resources to those who experience it, as well as those in their personal and professional circles, so they can gain a deeper knowledge of the condition, its possible treatments, and the potential accommodations that can help sustain employment,” Clément said.
The campaign materials include key migraine information, statistics, and resources designed to show support for colleagues impacted by the condition while encouraging professional networks to learn more about workplace accommodations and support strategies.
