"My first thought was that I’d have to give up work. I’ve worked hard to get where I am and I love my job. I'm not the kind of person who is happy sitting at home all day."
Many with people MS continue to work, long after being diagnosed with MS. Some find that fatigue or other symptoms make working difficult. Alternatively you could find that having MS changes your priorities, and you may want to give up work to concentrate on other things in life.
"My MS made it impossible for me to do my old job as I was always on the road and worked 14 hour days. After my diagnosis, I re-evaluated my life and decided to take early retirement."
Don't feel you have to rush into making any decisions about your working life. Nor should you let other people pressurise you. Being diagnosed with MS can be traumatic and may impact on other aspects of your life as well as work. You may need time to help you adjust and good employers should understand and make allowances for this. There are also provisions under the law to protect your rights at work.
Short-term sick leave
For an initial period of illness, many employers will pay full wage for a period, followed by a decreasing percentage. It's worth looking at your contract, staff handbook or having a word with your HR department.
However, at the minimum you can claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), which is paid to employees who are unable to work because of sickness. It is paid for up to a maximum of 28 weeks.
SSP is not paid for specific illness or treatment but to all employees who are incapable for work and who satisfy the conditions for payment. The standard rate of payment is £75.40
Find out more about SSP on the main MS Society website or on the DWP website
Further help
The MS Society publication Working with MS has a lot of useful information.
The Disability Law Service (DLS) provides free, confidential legal advice for people with a disability.
The DLS may be able to help with the following problems:
- disability discrimination at work
- access to goods, services and facilities
- social and health care.
If you think you may have a disability discrimination case, contact the DLS or call them direct on 020 7791 9800.
The Multiple Sclerosis Society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is a charity registered in England and Wales (207495) and Scotland (SCO16433)
