Working With MS

There’s no denying that MS symptoms can make working more challenging, but small work adaptations, or ‘accommodations’, can often help make things easier – it’s a case of asking the right question at the right time.

In a survey of 746 members of the National MS Society, 88% of people living with MS who requested accommodations received them.

Here are just a few examples of work accommodations that could help you:

• Flexible working hours or more breaks during the workday
• Changes to workspace or equipment, such as dictation software or forearm support, if typing is difficult
• Grab bars in toilets at work
• Parking space closer to the building
• Working from home

It’s important that you know your employment rights when you have MS. Each country and each job will have its own regulations about disclosing MS and guidance around work accommodations, so make sure you understand the specific employment laws and regulations that apply to you and your job.

Think about what adjustments could be made to make your working life easier, and don’t be afraid to ask for them.

All workers in Canada are protected by federal, provincial or territorial employment laws. These laws include employment equity, which encourages the establishment of working conditions that are free of barriers, corrects the conditions of disadvantage in employment and promotes the principle that employment equity requires special measures and the accommodation of differences for the four designated groups in Canada. These groups are defined by the Employment Equity Act as:

• Women
• Aboriginal peoples: people who are Indian, Inuit or Métis
• Persons with disabilities: people with a long-term or recurring physical, mental, sensory, psychiatric or learning impairment who consider themselves to be disadvantaged in employment by reason of that impairment or who believe that an employer or potential employer is likely to consider them to be disadvantaged in employment by reason of that impairment, as well as individuals with functional limitations due to their impairment that have been accommodated in their current job or workplace
• Members of visible minorities – people, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in color

Working through day-to-day life with MS can sometimes bring challenges. Below, Katharina shares her tips and tricks to work through them:

• If you have more energy in the morning, work in the morning and take a power nap over lunch
• When you have fatigue, take on the smaller tasks. Get back to the bigger things when you feel better
• If you’re struggling with small hand movements like typing on your smartphone, try using the dictation function
• Get yourself a comfortable and adjustable office chair. If you spend more than an hour a day at your computer, a proper set-up with a big monitor and keyboard can help too
• Take regular breaks and stretch as much as you can – and depending on whether your colleagues are watching, why not loosen-up with a few hip swings!
• Make sure to plan time off in advance for hospital visits

The unpredictability of MS might make your current job challenging or, perhaps, make you worry about your future career. But MS doesn’t have to stand in the way of either of these.

Making decisions about changing your job or about a future career will depend on your individual circumstances, the nature of your symptoms, and the type of work you do. For example, if you have a job that’s physically demanding, like a construction worker, and your MS affects your strength and balance, you may need to consider a less physically demanding role. Office jobs tend to be more suited to people with MS, as they are less physically demanding and there is more flexibility. But if you have a mentally demanding job and you have problems with thinking and decision-making, a less mentally challenging role may need to be considered. Remember, there are usually ways to work around the challenges at your current job, so make sure you think through all your options before deciding to change jobs. With open communication and few adaptions, Grace hasn’t let her MS get in the way of her career as a performer!  

In some cases, certain workplace adjustments, like changing hours or responsibilities, can make your current job more manageable. Or, you might want or need to change your job or career completely. Perhaps there’s something you’ve always wanted to try.

Remember to take your time to weigh all your options before making any big decisions about work and your future career. When you’re figuring out how best to navigate these challenges, you may even realize there are new opportunities out there for the taking.

Below are some things to consider when starting to think about a new or change in career.

Starting or changing careers

There’s a lot to consider when starting or changing jobs or career. Start by asking yourself:

• What does the job involve?
• What about the salary, and are there any perks or benefits?
• Do you think you would be happy in this job?
• What is the work environment like?
• Do you need any specific skills?
• Where is the job?
• What will your commute be like?
• What about the work schedule?
  • Is working from home possible?
  • Are there flexible working hours?

Self-employment gives you control over your work environment and flexibility to work around your needs with MS. Here are a few resources to help you learn more:

• Small business and self-employed income
• EI benefits for self-employed

Whether you choose to be self-employed or an employee, make sure it’s something that interests you and builds on your strengths. Find something that’s right for you.

Once you’ve made your decision about the type of job you want, the next step big step is interviews. Make sure you’re prepared and ask the right questions to make sure the job is a suited to you.

Before the interview

Do your research and do some digging. Make sure you’re prepared by knowing everything there is to know about the job you’re applying for: What’s the job description? What skills does it require? What are the company values? Also, look online for any recent news about the company or industry, or updates on the company website.

When scheduling interviews, make sure the time works for you. If you have more energy in the morning, ask for a morning interview.

During the interview

Make sure you highlight any relevant skills, experience, and education that make you right for the job. Ask lots of questions and use the interview as an opportunity to learn more about the job and company, too – it’s a 2-way process, so you need to make sure it’s a good fit for you. You may even decide it’s not the right job, or you may not get offered the job. Remember that this is all part of the process, stay positive, and know that you will find something that’s better suited to you.

It’s usually best not to disclose your MS at interviews

Legally, you are not required to disclose your diagnosis unless you’re asking for job accommodation. Even then, you are only required to describe the limitations you may have in carrying out certain essential tasks of the job and you do not have to disclose that you have MS. If you need to take some time off work because of your MS, your doctor does not need to indicate your diagnosis on the medical note to your employer.  

If you do decide to disclose your MS to your employer, it may be a good idea to share a copy of MS in the Workplace: An Employer’s Guide to educate and help guide the conversation.

For more information and guidance, you can visit the following sections of MS Society Canada:

Talking About MS

Talking About MS with Employers

There are many independent organizations that offer career advice, support, and more:

• The National MS Society: provides guidance on career planning such as a self-assessment tools, advice on job interviews, and legal information
  
• The MS Society of Canada: provides support and services available in your area

The Government of Canada has a page of resources and information on types of jobs available too