Making it Work^TM

Living with pain in the joints can make performing certain work tasks very challenging. Jobs that are very physically demanding are often a problem. It is not just the overall physical demand of the job that matters, but the fit between the joints affected by arthritis and the joints used for the specific tasks. For example, arthritis often affects the hands, so a lot of writing or computer use is often challenging for people with arthritis. If a person’s arthritis affects their feet, then a lot of standing and walking is difficult. Yet, at the same time, too much sitting or not being able to move around, is also challenging because immobility makes the pain and stiffness of arthritis worse.

In a prior study, people identified fatigue as the problem that most limited them at work. Unfortunately, fatigue is often the symptom of arthritis that is least helped by arthritis treatment, and people often don’t know how to deal with fatigue. It is also the symptoms least well understood by co-workers.

The fact that arthritis is not visible and that the symptoms vary a lot from day to day, makes it challenging for others at work to understand what the worker with arthritis is going through, and why they can do something one day, but not the next.

Commuting is also a big challenge for many people with arthritis. Taking public transit is difficult if one has to stand for a long time, especially in crowded, uncomfortable spaces, or if the travel involves a lot of walking and stairs. Commuting by car can also be challenging because immobility makes pain and stiffness worse and mornings are often a difficult time of day for people with arthritis.

By gaining a better awareness of how their arthritis affects them at work, people can better understand what the issues are and find solutions to address them. We found that people often did not fully realize how their arthritis was affecting them. Once people have gained that insight, then they can modify how they do things, to better adapt it to their arthritis, and plan their work around their arthritis, if they have the flexibility to do so.

There is no clear cut answer to this question, as it really depends on the situation. The pros and cons need to be weighed very carefully. A worker has no obligation to tell their employer, unless their condition interferes with their ability to do the main duties of their job, and even then, they don’t need to say what the condition is. However, not telling their employer or supervisor that they have arthritis, can prevent people from getting the help they need. It can also prevent them from accessing support and services that would help them do their job more easily, or obtaining job accommodations that would allow them to better adapt their work to their arthritis. This is when workers might want to consider telling people at work about their arthritis. Also, if a person’s arthritis is affecting their performance at work, people at work likely have noticed, and not providing any explanation is also problematic.

When requesting a job accommodation, employees will need to disclose that they have a health condition, but they don’t need to mention what that condition is. They may need a letter from a health professional outlining what they can and cannot do because of their condition. Privacy also extends to other people at work who should not be informed of the employee’s condition.