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Report shows job threats faced by people with arthritis

This news post is almost 7 years old
 

Study shows that arthritis affects people's ability to work

People living with arthritis need better support in order to be able to work according to a new study.

The survey report,Arthritis and Work, is published by Arthritis Care Scotland, the leading charity for people with the condition, and shows that people living with it are likely to work for fewer years than people in the general population.

Carried out by Glasgow University’s Training & Employment Research Unit, the study found that arthritis had a high impact on work for over four fifths of respondents with less than half now able to work due to their arthritis.

The charity is calling for a better understanding of the impact of arthritis in the workplace as well as improved access to employment support and disability benefits for people with arthritis.

Director of Arthritis Care Scotland, Angela Donaldson Bruce, said, “Whether it’s giving up work, reducing hours or changing duties or jobs, people with arthritis are being forced to make choices they might otherwise not make.

“Coping with pain and fatigue is difficult enough but to have your livelihood threatened can be devastating.

“We urgently need better understanding by employers and more supportive work environments. In particular, people with arthritis have told us that support from managers and colleagues is crucial and that healthcare professionals and employability support services need to play a greater role.

“With the number of people with arthritis set to double over the next 15 years, we need to address these workplace issues urgently.”