Arthritis Symptoms and Your Place of Work
What are the different types of Arthritis?
There are multiple conditions associated with arthritis, see the A-Z list here. The common ones include:
What are the Symptoms of Arthritis?
How Does Arthritis Affect Employees in the Workplace?
A YouGov research study of over 2,000 people with arthritis conditions analysed the impact of arthritis on their job and their work environment. The following results clearly show that having arthritis whilst working can significantly affect one’s ability to do the same job and for the same length of time:
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9% had to reduce their hours
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10% had to change the type of work they do
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13% had to take time off work and 21% had to take one hour or more off work per month due to their condition
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22% reported additional stress at work because of their condition
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22% felt less confident in their ability to do their job
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21% had to give up work due to their osteoarthritis condition; and
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25% of people with rheumatoid arthritis had to give up work.
Facts
Looking at the eye-watering statistics, it is no wonder that arthritis and related musculoskeletal pain conditions are one of the primary health concerns facing employees and their employers in the UK:
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3 million people have a musculoskeletal (MSK) condition such as arthritis or back pain in the UK. Almost one third (32%) of the population. That’s 10.2 million people between the ages of 35 and 64 – when many people are still working age.
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Around 8.5 million people have osteoarthritis in the UK.
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10 million people have back pain in the UK.
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7 to 2.8 million people have fibromyalgia in the UK.
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3 million people have osteoporosis in the UK.
At Work With Arthritis
It is clear that millions of people are trying to juggle staying in work whilst living with a painful, sometimes progressive and incapacitating condition.
Many jobs require strength and dexterity, especially manual jobs or repetitive jobs. Arthritis affects all types of people in all types of work environment. Agricultural and office workers are just as prone to symptoms as factory line workers, warehouse operatives, retail workers, servicemen and engineers. Arthritis shows no discrimination and anyone in any job role can be affected.
Arthritis and Employment Law
See our web page and information about our employment law team.
Britain is a nation that "puts up and shuts up" when it comes to arthritis and workplace health due to people's willingness to suffer in silence. However, employees with arthritis should feel able to speak to their employer about their condition and the impact on their job, and employers should feel able to speak to employees about their symptoms and offer support and understanding.
Not only that, employers have a legal responsibility under The Equality Act not to discriminate against an employee with a disability - a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-today activities.
Often whilst working, people who are suffering with long term conditions like arthritis are not aware of their rights under the Equality Act 2010. Many employers simply do not understand the true extent of how life debilitating arthritis can be. Normal daily work tasks and activities can become impossible and minor changes to an employee’s desk and workstation are often not enough.
“Substantial” means something more than minor, but that could fluctuate and may not be present all the time. “Long term” means the effect of the impairment has to last, or is likely persist for at least 12 months. “Day-to-day activities” means everyday activities for most people, such as using a computer, writing, sitting down and standing up.
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If you are suffering from arthritis or a long-term condition which has a serious negative affect on your daily work activities, then your rights are covered under the Equality Act 2010. Your employer has a duty to treat you fairly and must make reasonable adjustments to enable you to work which could involve providing additional equipment, support or altering your working arrangements to ensure that you are not at a disadvantage when compared to others.
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Importantly your employer cannot dismiss you or force you to take early retirement because of your disability.
Ashley Hunt, Employment Solicitor and Director at Lawson-West Solicitors comments:
“For every person who suffers with arthritis at work, there’s an employer who needs to be supportive.
It can often be the case that those with symptoms actively choose to alter their role because they simply cannot undertake the same tasks or produce the same level of productivity as before, so taking on lighter duties can often be welcome. In my experience, an understanding negotiation between boss and employee often results in an outcome suitable for both sides. It is good to have a legal representative onside though, should an employer be less than understanding.”
If you think you have been subject to disability discrimination at work, please contact the Employment Law team here. We act for arthritis-suffering employees across the UK and can help negotiate your position with your employer to a satisfactory outcome and provide helpful support.
Arthritis – helpful links with more information
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Exercises to help arthritis – and more exercises to help with arthritis
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Rheumatoid Arthritis booklet – “I Want To Work”
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An Employers Guide to Support Employees with Rheumatoid Arthritis - An Employer’s Guide
