This year’s MS Awareness week #MSWeek will run from 22 – 28 April. Led by the MS Society, it’s an opportunity to raise awareness about Multiple Sclerosis and speak up about the realities of life with MS.
To support MS Awareness Week, this article looks at MS in numbers, and shares ways for employers to help support employees who have MS.
MS in numbers in the UK
- The MS Society estimates that there are over 130,000 people with MS in the UK, and that nearly 7,000 people are newly diagnosed each year.
- This means that around one in every 500 people in the UK has MS, and that each week, 130 people are diagnosed with MS.
- Most people with MS are usually diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 45. It can present unexpected challenges and barriers at a time when many are building their careers.
- MS is almost three times more common in women compared to men.
- Around 80% of people who are affected retire within 15 years of getting diagnosed.
- It’s estimated that those who have MS and are not in work lose around 20 years of their potential working career. (All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for MS).
What is Multiple Sclerosis (MS)?
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a condition that affects the brain and spinal cord causing a wide range of symptoms such as problems with vision, balance, arm or leg movements or sensation. MS is also commonly associated with fatigue which can lead to a feeling of overwhelm, anxiety and stress.
MS isn’t a condition that looks the same for each individual so the support that they might need differs. Some people can continue to work in such a way that their condition is barely noticeable. Others are less fortunate and may require adjustments to help them cope in an office environment.
MS and employment rights
Those with MS are protected by the Equality Act 2010 which makes them eligible for a range of benefits and support. This Act protects people with MS (and other conditions) from any form of discrimination from the point of diagnosis. This means that people with MS are legally categorised as disabled following their diagnosis.
People with MS aren’t obliged to tell their employer if they have MS unless there are specific health risks – such as driving as part of the job. It goes without saying that an employer can’t help an employee unless they are aware. Therefore, a culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and openness is likely to encourage employees to open up about their condition.
How employers can support employees with MS
Since people don’t have to disclose if they are suffering from MS, it may take courage to tell their employer through fear of the impact it may have on their career. For many it’s a huge relief to find a supportive employer who helps them manage their condition while being able to stay in employment.
Here are some suggestions to offer help:
Reduce the conditions that cause fatigue: There are a number of ways to do this, depending on the needs of the employee. These are often classed as ‘reasonable adjustments’ and can include something as simple as a nearby chair to take breaks, enabling flexible working and working from home, altering shift patterns to avoid travelling during busy times and avoidance of working in warm areas that can exacerbate fatigue.
Reducing strain and aiding mobility: Such as changing the layout of the office to improve accessibility, providing a car parking space near the entrance or providing accessible office equipment such as voice recognition software, an adapted keyboard or mouse, a larger computer screen, a telephone headset or a footrest.
Involve employees in decisions: Help them to work out what they can or cannot do – but don’t decide for them. They may not need as many adjustments as you might think. Let them process the impact of their MS and support them through what they may need. If they decide to tell others at work, they may need help in telling them and the team may also need help in how to respond.
Be practical, not emotional: While it’s natural to worry for those newly diagnosed with MS, outward displays of emotion may be uncomfortable for the employee. What they need is empathy and practical solution-based support to enable them to continue to work.
Manage stressful situations: Stress can cause symptoms of MS to flare up and become worse. Having stress management strategies in place and being mindful of the causes of stress can help with the management of the condition.
Be sympathetic to time off from work: Having time off to attend medical appointments is a reasonable adjustment. What’s more, the MS Society suggest that employers may also want to consider recording any time off related to their MS separately from ordinary sick leave and discounting it from any absence management procedures.
Encourage general wellbeing: Help raise awareness of the impact of smoking – of which the NHS say it could increase the rate that MS spreads, better nutrition and exercise and the need for good sleep.
How OH can help
Both employer and employees can benefit by talking through any diagnosis of MS with an occupational health (OH) adviser or by a referral to an OH physician. They will be able to help identify any potential workplace issues and can suggest adjustments that will make carrying out a role easier. This could include identifying specialised equipment that could help in addition to what can be fairly simple suggestions that can have a big impact.
In conclusion
MS is a complicated condition to manage in the workplace and yet many people with MS want to continue working. Employees are not always obliged to inform their employer and the condition may vary greatly in the way it impacts work employee by employee. However, it is in the interest of employees to inform employers so that adjustments and support can be offered. Therefore, the more accepting and supportive your culture is, the more likely your employees will feel comfortable in revealing their condition.
Get our guide
We’ve created a new guide on MS Awareness. Covering the symptoms and types and with tips on living with MS, subscribers to our wellbeing site can download the guide. If you are not signed up to this service and would like to find out more, please contact us on wellbeing@cordel.247developments.com
About MS Awareness week #MSWeek
MS Awareness week will run from 22 – 28 April this year. Find out more and support the campaign though the MS Society page here: https://www.mssociety.org.uk/get-involved/ms-awareness-week#
