Discrimination

"I'm worried that if I tell my employers about my MS I'll be treated badly"

Although some employers will be sympathetic to your change in circumstances and want to help you adjust, some might not. If you find that your employer is being unhelpful, there are plenty of organisations that will be able to advise you about how best to approach what can be an otherwise distressing situation.

The law is on your side. Although you may not think of yourself as disabled, people with MS are now covered, right from the point of diagnosis, under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (DDA). This means your employer has a legal obligation to treat you fairly and must make 'reasonable adjustments' so you can continue working for them in your current role.

Reasonable adjustments to help you may include changing working hours, allowing longer breaks or moving desks to more accessible areas in the office. Each situation depends on what is 'reasonable' to both the employer and employee/jobseeker. Some professions (Armed Forces and Emergency Services) are currently exempt from the DDA, but most aren't, and employees who inform an employer of their disability automatically come under its protection. So you can continue working as long as you want to and in comfort.

It's also worth remembering that, should the situation arise, if a colleague supports your disability discrimination case they too are protected against victimisation.

Visit the 'Point of Diagnosis' website for more detailed information on the recent DDA revisions.

The Disability Rights Commission provide information and advice about all aspects of the DDA and can offer support and advice on 08457 622633.

The Disability Law service (DLS) offers free legal advice and information for disabled people on 020 7791 9800. Click here for more information about the DLS service on the main MS Society website.