Informing Work
"My employer was really supportive. My boss helped me look at what changes we both needed to make, so that I could carry on working as long as I wanted to."
Before approaching your employer, it may be best to talk to friends and family about how you believe having MS is affecting your ability to work. This will help you understand your new needs and considerations so that when you do come to tell work, you have already answered any questions they may have.
Deciding how to tell an employer that you have MS can be a very difficult decision. Bear in mind a couple of things:
- It can cause considerable strain living with a secret, it may be a cliche but a problem shared is a problem halved.
- In the absence of facts your employer could draw their own, negative conclusions about your symptoms.
- Have a think about what your employer can do in terms of practical solutions to make it easier for you to do your job.
If you don't want to tell your employer yourself, someone else such as a colleague, trade union representative or a Disability Employment Advisor (DEA), who can be contacted through your local Job Centre, could do so on your behalf. If you do decide to tell work yourself, you can ask to have someone present for moral support. Jump to: Be Prepared | Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
Be Prepared
Be prepared for their questions and answer them as objectively as you can. It is unlikely that your employer will know anything concrete about MS. They will probably want to find out as much about your condition as they can, so they can understand your needs and how these fit into their company. Why not take them some information? You can order publications online through the main MS Society site.
If your employer needs more information about MS, they can call the MS Society helpline on 0808 800 8000.
For free confidential legal advice on any aspect of working life contact the Disability Law Service (DLS) through the main MS Society site.
Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
"After my first relapse, I needed three months off work to recover. My company was really sympathetic and helped me claim sick pay."
Statutory Sick Pay is paid to employees by their employers for periods of sickness.
Find out more about SSP on the main MS Society website.