General Rheumatology · Work

Work, and living with a rheumatic disease

Many people work well with a rheumatic disease, and staying able to do what matters, including work, is one of the goals of treatment. This page covers adjustments that help, talking to an employer, and where to find support. Specifics vary by workplace and by province, so use it as a starting point with your team.

Energy and pacingAll patient guides
iWhether and when to tell an employer about your condition is your choice. You may have rights to reasonable adjustments at work; your care team, an occupational therapist, and Canadian patient organisations can help you navigate this.

1. Many people work well with rheumatic disease

A diagnosis does not mean the end of working life. Most people with a rheumatic disease continue to work, and modern treatment aims to keep you doing the things that matter to you, work included. Some people need to make changes to how or when they work, and some need time off around flares, but staying in work, in a way that suits you, is a realistic goal for many.

2. When symptoms make work hard

Fatigue, pain, morning stiffness, flares, and difficulty concentrating can all make work harder, and none of that is a personal failing. Recognising which parts of your job are the sticking points, whether it is long periods sitting or standing, repetitive tasks, early starts, or simply the energy it all takes, is the first step to finding adjustments that work.

3. Adjustments that can help

Many helpful changes are small and reasonable: flexible or adjusted hours, regular breaks, a better-set-up workstation, the option to work from home some days, or a phased return after a flare or time off. Pacing your energy across the working day, and protecting your joints during tasks, both help you sustain work over time. An occupational therapist can assess your specific job and suggest practical adjustments and aids; see our guides on energy and pacing and joint protection.

4. Talking to your employer, and getting support

Whether to tell your employer, and when, is up to you, and it can feel daunting. Many adjustments are reasonable to ask for, and a supportive employer would usually rather know so they can help you stay productive. If work becomes very difficult, or you need time off, your care team and an occupational therapist can help with the documentation, and there may be benefits or supports you are entitled to. The Canadian Arthritis Patient Alliance publishes practical, patient-written guidance on arthritis in the workplace. Because the details differ from one workplace and one province to another, our office can help point you towards the right local support for your situation.