Work and Arthritis
An Information Sheet
What is this leaflet about?
Arthritis can affect anyone at any age, including many people of working age. This may include people who are in work, looking for work, temporarily off sick, or hoping to return after a long period away from work. For some people, the decision to continue working or to return to work will need a lot of thought and discussion.
This leaflet is aimed at helping you to explore your options by asking the right questions of yourself and knowing where to seek advice.
What sort of problems may occur at work?
'Arthritis' is a term used to cover a very wide range of conditions which may involve one joint, many joints, the spine or any combination of these. The sort of symptoms arthritis causes are pain, stiffness and tiredness, all of which can vary – over the day or over months. There is no single pattern, and each person's experience of arthritis is unique. This can make juggling home and work life a challenge and therefore deserves some very careful consideration.
You and/or your employer may be anxious about your performance at work. The following questions are important to consider:
- Do you find you have to allow yourself extra time to do some jobs?
- Are there some parts of your job you find difficult or can't manage any longer?
- Does the stress of your job make your arthritis flare?
- Do you find you don't have the stamina to work like you used to?
- Do you find that work takes so much out of you that you have little energy for activities outside work?
If you have answered yes to some or all of these questions you may benefit from some advice or extra support at work. It is a common feeling for people to want to battle on but it is important, at an early stage, to get the right advice and support.
It is better to seek help sooner rather than later, as often the correct advice on improving your physical working area will help you do your job better and more comfortably.
What can I do?
The first step is to try to sort out what is causing the problem – on your own, with the help of a friend or colleague, or with outside help. Ask yourself some further questions:
Is it something really simple and obvious?
Do you find that you spend all morning doing the same type of repetitive tasks so that you are very tired in the afternoon? Perhaps repeated movements or your working position cause pain or discomfort? Listen to your body when it complains. Remember the four Ps – pain, pacing, planning and protection (first described by an occupational therapist, Heather Unsworth):
- pain – can be controlled by planning, energy saving, alternative work methods and splints
- pacing and planning – try not to do too much in one go; try to get a balance between work and rest; try mixing the activities and don't do one thing for too long; try not to start an activity that you know you will have to push yourself to complete; analyse and simplify tasks
- protection – overstressing a joint can damage it so try to distribute the load; use body leverage; reduce the weight being carried; ask your occupational therapist to go through joint protection techniques with you.
This advice will not cure your arthritis but it could make life easier for now. Don't underestimate your own abilities to find a common-sense solution, but remember also that there are professionals who have lots of good advice to share with you.
'I saved up jobs to save walking. I took spare shoes and changed if my feet were hurting. I put my feet up at lunchtime instead of running about doing the shopping.' |
Is it something your colleagues or employer could help with?
For instance, do you find the mornings particularly difficult – could you come in to work later and work later at the end of the day? Flexibility in working hours or in the different things you have to do at work can make a big difference to how you cope. Try talking things over with your manager or work colleagues.
'I went in very early and built up hours so that if I didn't feel well enough I could just take some time owing and didn' t have to take time off sick. It also meant that some weeks I only needed to work four days.' |
'I tried to cope but my fingers were so painful. A friend helped out. She lifted and fed the papers into the printer. I hadn't got the speed or the strength. I got by with help.' |
If you cannot work out what is causing the difficulty and would
like
some assistance ...
Early intervention by health professionals, a phased and supported return to work, and keeping in touch with your employer are recognised ways of helping you stay in, or get back to, work.
A good place to start is by talking to your manager and together asking for a 'workplace assessment'. This could be arranged through the Occupational Health Department of the company (if it has one), an occupational therapist or physiotherapist (via your GP or hospital), or through the Jobcentre Plus Disability Service Team (DST). Access to Work (AtW) advisers are part of this team and can be contacted through the local Jobcentre Plus office. AtW is available to help overcome the problems resulting from your arthritis by offering practical advice and help, tailored to your needs in your job. For example, AtW can help pay for special aids or equipment or for adaptations to the premises, or with the additional costs of travelling to work if you are unable to use public transport.
Disability Employment Advisers (DEAs) are also part of this team and are based in the local Jobcentre Plus offices. They can also offer advice and support with work issues. If you are not currently working, your DEA can help you decide on the best way for you to return to work and help you find suitable employment. The Work Preparation programme can help you update your skills or learn new ones, build up your confidence, and provide work experience. If you are about to start work but you or your potential employer are unsure whether the job or the environment are suitable for you, the Job Introduction Scheme can help by funding a weekly grant to your employer to help towards your wages or other employment costs. If your arthritis is more severe then Workstep may be right for you. Workstep provides tailor-made support to you and your employer over a longer period of time, enabling you to reach your full potential.
Disability Discrimination Act (1995)
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) makes it unlawful for employers to treat a disabled person less favourably than anyone else because of their disability, in terms of recruitment, training, promotion and dismissal. It also requires employers to make reasonable adjustments to working practices or premises to overcome substantial disadvantage caused by disability. Reasonable adjustments can include, where possible: changing or modifying tasks; altering work patterns; special equipment; time off to attend appointments; or help with travel to work.
You can find out more about the DDA by contacting the Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline (see 'Useful addresses').
Your decision about your working future
Do not make a hasty decision about something as important as work. You may be going through a particularly difficult patch, either with your arthritis, or with your job, or at home. Be positive. Things may improve given time and patience. You may find, for instance, that if you have recently started a new treatment it may take several months before it is fully effective. You may begin to adjust, and tasks which have been problematic become easier to perform. Given time you may feel less tired and stressed.
You need to be clear in your mind about two important questions:
1. Do I want to work?
2. Do I need to work?
Most people, if they think about it, work not only for money,
but also because working gives a sense of achievement, structure
to the day, social contact, and social status. However, these things
are not of the same importance to everyone, and some people would
much prefer to be at home. Juggling home and work is only going
to be rewarding if you want to work. However,
for many people there is the financial reality of needing to work. So, what are your options if you want and need to work,
have looked at simple solutions, discussed the difficulties with
your colleagues, but still cannot imagine continuing in the same
job? Think through each of the options outlined in Table 1, making
notes and gathering information as you go. Then check your financial
situation, and do your financial homework before you make any decision
(see Table 2). Try to find someone whom you trust, and who can be
objective, to talk it over with. It is worth seeking the advice
of an occupational therapist or your Occupational Health Department.
What do your partner and family think? The sooner you seek help,
the more options you may have to choose from.
| TABLE 1: Options | |
|---|---|
| Question/option | Discuss with: |
| Would more help at home take pressure off? (e.g. help with housework or shopping) | Partner/family Occupational therapist |
| Is the arthritis likely to get better/worse? | GP Rheumatology team |
| What treatment options are available and what is their likely success? | GP Rheumatology team |
| Working fewer hours/job sharing | Partner/family Employer/Occupational Health Department Disability Employment Adviser Occupational therapist |
| Change of job within same organisation | Employer/Occupational Health Department Disability Employment Adviser Occupational therapist |
| Working from home | Employer Partner/family Disability Employment Adviser Occupational therapist |
| Retraining for lighter work | Employer Careers service Disability Employment Adviser |
| Phased return to work | Disability Employment Adviser Occupational therapist |
| Stop work/early retirement | See Table 2 |
| TABLE 2: Financial considerations |
|---|
| • Check your contract
or terms of employment. • Do you have permanent health insurance cover? • What is your sick leave entitlement? • How much do you/the family need to live on? • What benefits would you be eligible for if you reduced your hours? • What benefits would you be entitled to if you did stop work? • Can you take early retirement on health grounds? |
The final answer may not be perfect, but it needs to be a positive
one made on the basis of all the best information you can muster.
It needs to be the right decision for you, taken at the right time,
and supported by those around you.
Useful addresses
Arthritis Research Campaign (arc)
PO Box 177, Chesterfield, Derbyshire S41 7TQ
Phone: 0870 850 5000
www.arc.org.uk
As well as funding research, we produce a range of free information booklets and leaflets. Please contact the address above for a list of titles.
Arthritis Care
18 Stephenson Way, London NW1 2HD
Phone: 020 7380 6500
Helpline (freephone): 0808 800 4050
www.arthritiscare.org.uk
Offers self-help support, a helpline service, and a range of leaflets on arthritis.
Benefit Enquiry Line – for people with disabilities
(run by Department for Work and Pensions)
Phone: 0800 882200
www.dwp.gov.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau
Information regarding employment issues may be obtained
by requesting to see an employment solicitor at your local Citizens
Advice Bureau. To find your local office, see the telephone directory
or Yellow Pages under 'Citizens Advice Bureaux' or contact Citizens
Advice:
Phone: 020 7833 2181
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Disability Alliance
Universal House, 88–94 Wentworth Street
London E1 7SA
Phone: 020 7247 8776
www.disabilityalliance.org
Produces the Disability Rights Handbook, a detailed and comprehensive guide to what benefits and services are available to people with disabilities and their carers.
Disability Now
6 Market Road, London N7 9PW
Phone: 020 7619 7323
www.disabilitynow.org.uk
Disability Now is a campaigning paper available as a fortnightly printed newspaper and on its website.
Equality and Human Rights Commission Helpline [England Office]
Freepost RRLL-GHUX/CTRX
Arndale House, Arndale Centre
Manchester M4 3EQ
Phone: 0845 604 6610
www.equalityhumanrights.com
For details of the Wales and Scotland offices see the website.
Jobcentre Plus
To find your local office see the telephone directory under 'Jobcentre
Plus' or visit www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk.
Jobcentre Plus is the contact point for Disability Employment Advisers. Its leaflets include 'A Guide for Disabled People, Those with Health Conditions, and Carers'.
Leonard Cheshire Disability
30 Millbank, London SW1P 4QD
Phone: 020 7802 8200
www.lcdisability.org
Can help provide unemployed disabled people with the skills and support needed to gain access to training and employment.
nras (National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society)
Unit B4 Westacott Business Centre, Westacott Way
Littlewick Green, Maidenhead SL6 3RT
Phone: 0845 458 3969
Helpline: 0800 298 7650
www.rheumatoid.org.uk
A national charity which focuses specifically on rheumatoid arthritis.
