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Over 80 percent of people with arthritis have trouble working because of their health and felt work had a negative impact on their health. These findings from a Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance (CAPA) study formed the foundation for two organizations to create some fantastic arthritis and work resources that can help you keep working without feeling wrecked by it.

(And if you’re not Canadian, keep reading. Much of the information can be used by anyone)

“I felt some of the barriers first hand over twenty years in the workplace. I was often putting work first even above my own health. I felt that if I was experiencing these challenges, others had to be too,” said Laurie Proulx, Board Member and 2^nd Vice-President of CAPA. She was looking for information and didn’t find good resources. To identify just how many people with arthritis have trouble working, CAPA did some research.

Having trouble at work? You’re not alone

CAPA surveyed almost 400 people living with arthritis, of whom three quarters had inflammatory arthritis. The results of the survey, presented at EULAR in 2018, showed that over 80 percent reported having trouble working.

That’s a pretty stark set of data right there, showing just how difficult it is to keep going when you have arthritis.

The survey also found that were four main difficulties about working with arthritis, ranging from difficulty focusing and doing physical tasks while at work, and working leaving you with not enough energy to have a social life, as well as significant stress.

Helping you focus on what’s important

But it doesn’t have to be that way. When you have the right information and resources, you can ask for the help you need.

The Arthritis Society has developed a module called Arthritis and Work. It’s part of a family of online learning modules focusing on the many aspects of living with arthritis. You might remember my review of their excellent Mental Health and Well-Being a few years ago. And this one is just as great.

The Arthritis Society took a look at the fantastic US resource the Job Accommodation Network and set out to develop a uniquely Canadian resource for employees and employers. Developed in part in consultation with CAPA, it is based on real-life experience and includes an interview with Annette McKinnon, member of the CAPA Steering Committee, in the podcast about supporting employees with arthritis.

Arthritis and Work is divided into four clear and very readable sections:

• Work and Arthritis. This takes you through the numbers, common fears and experiences, and a discussion of the very real desire to work that people with arthritis have.
• This section takes a look at how you start planning for improving your work experience, as well as making sure your workstation is ergonomic, and shares exercises you can do it work to help keep your body from tightening up.
• Many people with arthritis are afraid of disclosing their condition at work and this third section takes an in-depth look at the benefits, when to disclose, and what you can ask for, and, importantly, how to ask.
• Know your rights. As someone with arthritis, you are legally entitled to help at work — called accommodations — but many people don’t know this. Knowledge is power and can help you keep working. This section is focused on Canadian laws, but can be a good jumping off point for those of you are in other countries to find information where you live.

As always, CAPA has its finger on the pulse of what’s happening in the arthritis community — understandably so, as it consists of people living with the condition. In the not-so-recent past, people with inflammatory arthritis quite quickly stopped being able to work. “With better treatments and an increased focus on making workplaces more inclusive for everyone, people are able to participate at work. They need the right supports from employers, colleagues and even at home,” explained Proulx.

CAPA responded to this need with Arthritis in the Workplace: Resources by Patients for Patients. These resources are available in both English and French, and have been reviewed by an expert.

Arthritis in the Workplace: Resources by Patients for Patients consists of the following downloadable resources:

• Workplace Wisdom from Patients. A beautifully designed short version, with reminders of all the aspects that will help you have a better experience at work.
• Self-Care for Work. Tips for what you can do both at and outside of the job to help you work better, with links to information about techniques and tricks, such as managing inflammation, lifestyle management, working with your medical team, diet, and more.
• Adapting the Work Environment for Arthritis. Includes an overview of common problems people with arthritis face at work, as well as tips on how to get accommodated, and examples of what might be helpful for you.
• Know Your Workplace Rights. This can’t be said enough: knowledge is power. This information sheet has an overview of the different aspects of the workplace that play into your decision to disclose and ask for accommodation, including workplace culture, relationships, as well as accommodations, and what to do if you need to ask for a short absence.

The resources from CAPA and the Arthritis Society are intended for two audiences: you, as the employee, and your employer. Just as you may not have the information you need, so can there be barriers for your employer to understand their obligations and the resources available to help them.

Both of these resources are excellent, covering many of the same issues and topics. I highly recommend you take a look at both— I suspect they will meet your needs for information and support in different ways at different times.

“That’s where I hope these resources can help fill an important gap since the resources are based on advice provided by people living with arthritis. We are experts in so many aspects of living with the disease, so why not use it to help our community?” said Proulx.

CAPA is hosting a Twitter chat on October 12 at 1 PM ET in celebration of Will Arthritis Day. If you’re on Twitter, why not participate? Use the hashtag #arthritisatwork to answer these questions.

For more resources and information about working with arthritis, please visit:

The Arthritis Society — Arthritis and Work

CAPA — Arthritis in the Workplace: Resources for Patients by Patients