NDPH
Free to print
Letters for work and school.
A daily headache doesn’t have to mean giving up work or school, but it often means doing them differently. These two templates make the conversation easier: a letter your doctor can complete for an employer or university, and a headache plan for a child’s school.
Two pages, portrait, A4 or US Letter. Page 1 is for work or university; page 2 is for school. Print only the page you need.
To whom it may concern,
I am the treating clinician of , date of birth , whom I have seen since .
They have a long-term headache condition that causes a continuous daily headache. Its intensity varies from day to day and can be made worse by bright light, noise, screens, physical strain or stress. It can also cause tiredness and difficulty concentrating. It is a recognised medical condition and is not contagious.
They are able to continue working or studying, and the adjustments ticked below are likely to help them do so. I recommend that they are considered for the next months and then reviewed.
Recommended adjustments — tick those that apply
- Flexible start and finish times
- Working or studying from home on bad days
- Short, regular breaks away from the screen
- A quieter workspace, or noise-reducing headphones
- Control over lighting: avoid flickering or very bright lights; seat away from glare
- Screen filters, dimmer screens or larger text
- A fragrance-free environment where possible
- Access to water and food at the desk
- Somewhere quiet and dark to rest briefly
- Adjusted workload or deadlines during flares
- Time off for medical appointments and treatments
- A phased return after time off
- Extra time and a quiet room for exams
- Recorded lectures or written notes
- Other:
Further comments
Please contact me if you need more information. With the patient’s consent, I can discuss how the condition affects their work or study; I will not share other medical details.
About the headache
This student has a daily headache that is present most or all of the time and is worse on some days. They may look well while in pain. On bad days they may tire quickly, find it hard to concentrate, and be sensitive to light and noise.
Please allow — tick those that apply
- A water bottle and snacks in class
- Rest in a quiet place for minutes, then return to class
- A seat away from windows, glare and noise
- Sunglasses or a cap, indoors if needed
- Lower screen brightness, or printed copies
- Extra time for tests, or a quieter room
- Reduced homework or extended deadlines on bad days
- Shorter days or a gradual return after absence
- Opting out of very noisy activities when needed
- Other:
Medicine at school
| Medicine | Dose | When it may be given | No more than |
|---|---|---|---|
| ___ days a week | |||
| ___ days a week |
Please record each dose and tell parents. Taking headache medicine too often can make headaches worse.
Call emergency services, then parents, if the student has
a sudden, severe headache unlike their usual one · new weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking · confusion or unusual drowsiness · a seizure · a headache after a blow to the head · fever with a stiff neck.
Agreed by
How to use these
- Tick only what you actually need. A short, specific list is easier to say yes to than a long one.
- Ask your doctor to complete page 1 and sign it. It deliberately describes how the condition affects work, not your full medical history.
- For school, agree page 2 at a meeting with the teacher or school nurse, and set a review date. Ask for a copy to go to every teacher who sees your child.
- Keep a copy and note what was agreed, and when.
Your rights
In many countries, employers and schools must consider reasonable adjustments for a long-term health condition. The details depend on where you live:
- United States: the Americans with Disabilities Act covers reasonable accommodations at work. The Job Accommodation Network has free advice on headaches at work.
- United Kingdom: see the government guide to reasonable adjustments for disabled workers. The Migraine Trust also gives advice on work and school.
- Elsewhere: ask your workplace’s human resources or occupational health team, your union, or a patient organisation in your country.
This is general information, not legal advice.