People with psoriatic arthritis may need frequent breaks and open communication with their managers. Employers must provide reasonable accommodations.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) causes pain and swelling in the joints. Widespread inflammation can also cause issues that affect other areas of the body, including the eyes and heart. Symptoms can make life in the workplace more stressful and difficult for a person living with PsA.
Understanding more about PsA, individual rights, and other aspects may help reduce anxiety and stress related to the workplace. The following infographic provides some quick tips and facts worth exploring when it comes to navigating the workplace and PsA.
The Americans with Disabilities Act establishes that employers must provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities, like PsA, which may include ergonomic keyboards, special chairs, or other devices and help.
Breaks can help with stress management, allowing time to apply medications and providing opportunities for walks or other physical activities. This can help with decompressing and distracting from pain and fatigue. If an employer is not good about breaks, a person should consider discussing their needs with them as it may be a protected right.
Even if PsA does not affect work directly, a person should consider sharing what they feel comfortable about with their employer. This may make it easier to schedule a time to go for treatments or checkups, alter break times, or access accommodations. A person may find that writing down what they are comfortable sharing and their needs or requests may help guide the conversation.
Physical movement can be challenging at work, requiring creativity or talking with an employer about accommodations. Ways to get extra movement may include taking walking meetings, standing and stretching between tasks, or finding shorter, more frequent movement breaks throughout a shift.
Working long hours, overtime, and skipping breaks may not be the best option for someone living with PsA. Finding a balance between work and time off may make a difference when it comes to PsA symptoms and a successful career.