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  • Work and arthritis
  1. About arthritis
  2. Work and arthritis

Work and arthritis

What are the benefits of working with arthritis?

What are the most common symptoms experienced by people working with MSDs?

Should I tell my employer about my arthritis?

What is reasonable accommodation?

What can I do to manage my arthritis in the workplace?

What kind of changes might be made at work - outside and inside the home

Fit for Work - e-learning module

Download Working with Arthritis, Back Pain & Related Conditions - A Guide for Employees





What are the benefits of working with arthritis?

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, back pain and back problems, work-related neck and upper limb disorders (e.g. epicondylitis 'tennis' or 'golfer’s elbow', carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain injury, neck pain) and osteoporosis are all examples of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).

This is an umbrella term covering over 200 conditions that affect the muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, peripheral nerves and supporting blood vessels, and are among the most prevalent conditions in the world.

Work is good for your health. As well as improving your financial security, employment can boost your health and happiness. It is a vital part of modern life; it provides you with income and can be a valuable source of purpose and meaning. Work can be therapeutic and can reverse the adverse health effects of unemployment.

People with arthritis should therefore be encouraged and supported to remain in or to re-enter work if possible, as it:

  • is therapeutic
  • helps to promote recovery and rehabilitation
  • leads to better health outcomes
  • minimises the harmful physical, mental and social effects of long-term sickness absence
  • reduces the risk of long-term incapacity
  • promotes full participation in society
  • reduces poverty
  • leads to better self-esteem
  • improves quality of life and well-being

When deciding to stay at work, you should think of the following:

  • your reasons for working
  • your present circumstance
  • your options
  • your finances

 

Questions you need to ask yourself:

  • Do I want to work and do I need to work?
  • Is your arthritis, joint pain or related condition likely to get better or worse?
  • What treatment options are there and are they likely to be successful?
  • Can you do any tasks at work differently to take the strain off joints? Are there any labour-saving gadgets or equipment that will help?
  • Would more help at home take the pressure off you? For example, help with housework or shopping.
  • Can you do some key tasks around the home differently, or with labour-saving gadgets or equipment, to take the strain off key joints?
  • Can you work fewer hours or job share?
  • Can you change your job within your current organisation?
  • Can you work from home for at least some of the week?
  • Can you retrain for other work – perhaps lighter work?

 

Back to top

What are the most common symptoms experienced by people working with arthritis?

  • problems with mobility or functioning
  • early morning stiffness
  • pain
  • fatigue
  • poor concentration
  • reduced stamina
  • decreased agility

These symptoms can all be worsened by having to work from home. During the Covid-19 pandemic, many people are working from home in spaces that are not designed for work. This can lead to a worsening of pain, stiffness and fatigue.

Some manual jobs may be more difficult to manage, particularly if they require heavy physical work, standing or lifting. It may be necessary to explore with your employer, whether it is feasible to consider other options such as changing your duties, having additional training, or seeking an alternative type of work.

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Should I tell my employer or manager about my arthritis?

There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer: you will need to make a judgement about if, when and how much to tell your employer, manager or co-workers. Your decision will, of course, be influenced by the type of work you do and whether, or how much, your condition affects your ability to do the job.

It may not affect your work at all – other than time off for hospital appointments – but hiding it and struggling on if you have difficulties, could make your arthritis worse. Employers are generally supportive once they know you want to remain a productive worker and remain an employee with them.

However, you do have a duty to tell an employer about a health condition if it might present a health and safety risk to yourself or other work colleagues or may affect your ability to carry out the work.

When you are first diagnosed, time is of the essence. Work adaptations could be put in place at this point to help prevent joint damage, avoid fatigue and work burn out. If you are unable to continue to meet the demands of your job, it may result in work disability and the need to cease work before retirement. Disclosing early will allow employers and co-workers to support you at this crucial stage.

Here are some helpful tips about how to disclose your condition to your employer or manager:

  1. Take time to think about when and how to tell your employer, and who you want to involve.
  2. The help of a healthcare professional, such as an occupational therapist, may be of benefit to advocate and negotiate on your behalf, if a number of adjustments are needed to ensure your safety and work ability in the work setting.
  3. Consider bringing someone with you e.g. a colleague, employee representative or a member of your healthcare team.
  4. Write to your employer to request the meeting and summarise afterwards in writing.
  5. You might find it helpful to practise explaining your condition and how it affects you.
  6. Think about your specific needs so that your employer can adjust meet them based on expert medical advice. Make a list of these proposed adjustments and bring them to your meeting to discuss.
  7. Remember you know what and how much you are capable of doing so do not push your body beyond its limits by denying reasonable adjustments that might be helpful. The job must be a reasonable fit for you and your condition.
  8. Remember that the meeting is about your work. It is a chance for you to show that you understand your role and explain what you can about your condition.
  9. Try not to get emotional as an overly emotional meeting will not be useful to either party and can make it harder to discuss practical matters.

Further information on disclosure while working or applying for a job is here.

Back to top

Listen to our podcast about work and arthritis

In this episode of Inflammation Nation, Dr Yvonne Codd talks to Brian Lynch about work and arthritis. They explore challenges and opportunities experienced by people with arthritis in the workplace, what supports and resources are available, disclosing your condition to your employer, your rights as an employee, as well as what we’ve learned from the pandemic about working from home.

What is reasonable accommodation?

You should be aware of your rights and the obligations employers have towards you under equality legislation. The Employment Equality Acts oblige employers to make reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities (such as a chronic illness). There are various descriptions of disability. For instance, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities states that persons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.

An employer must take ‘appropriate measures’ to meet the needs of people with disabilities in the workforce. This means they must make arrangements that will enable a person who has a disability to:

  • have equal opportunities when applying for work
  • be treated the same as co-workers
  • have equal opportunities for promotion
  • undertake training.

Note that while it is up to you whether to tell your current or potential employer about your condition, an employer cannot accommodate any special needs you may have if they do not know about it.

Further information about working with a disability and reasonable accommodation is available from Citizens Information, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the National Disability Authority.

 

What can I do to manage my arthritis in the workplace?

Everyone copes with the effects of their arthritis in different ways. There are some practical things you can do yourself:

Practical tips

  • Be proactive. Find out as much as you can about your arthritis. The more you understand your condition, the more you will feel in control about the decisions you take.
  • Give information leaflets about your condition to your employer and ask them to read them.
  • Remember that your healthcare team is there to provide support. If your condition changes or you feel it is not well controlled, ask for help quickly. Do not just put up with it!
  • Ask your nurse or physiotherapist about different methods of pain control.
  • A physiotherapist can help with pain management and simple exercises, such as stretching and keeping mobile at work.
  • A podiatrist can help with problems with your feet or ankles. They can give advice and treatment to help reduce your pain. It can make all the difference at work to have comfortable feet.
  • Seek advice and support from an occupational therapist at an early stage. They can advise on a wide range of work issues. For example, they can assess if the work role is appropriate for you and can liaise with your employer to negotiate adjustments/changes if needed.
  • If your company has its own occupational health adviser, you may prefer to approach them first. Their role is to support the health of employees at work.

Further information on healthy practices to follow in the workplace (outside and inside the home) can be found here.

Back to top

What kind of changes might be made at work - outside and inside the home

Detailed information on

      i. relieving pain

     ii. making changes to equipment

    iii. making changes to the physical environment

    iv. training in new skills; and

    v. potential alterations in working hours is available here

Back to top

Fit for Work - e-learning module


Introduction


Lesson 2 - Living with MSD and would like to remain in employment


Lesson 3 - Employer responds to needs of employees


Lesson 4 - Health Professionals

Back to top

Further information about legislation, legal rights, health and safety, ‘reasonable’ accommodation, sick leave, and social welfare supports can all be found in the Working with Arthritis, Back Pain & Related Conditions downloadable booklet.

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Published: 4th January, 2022

Updated: 6th October, 2022

Author: Peter Boyd

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