These pages give more information on the specific condition. They should be read in conjunction with our Supporting employees with long-term health conditions pages to help you understand how a workplace can assist in helping an employee return to and remain at work.
Approximately 10 million people in the UK have a diagnosis of arthritis – this includes all age groups.
There are 2 mains types:
- osteoarthritis
- rheumatoid arthritis
Depending on the type of arthritis, symptoms most commonly affect the joints in the hands, the hips and knees and the spine. The impact on an individual can vary and may include:
- pain, tenderness and stiffness in any joint or joints
- inflammation-causing warm or reddening skin and restricted movement of the joints
- a weakness in and wasting of the muscle
How to support employees in the workplace
Employees with arthritis may have increased levels of sickness absence. They may also need to attend hospital or specialist appointments more frequently.
Authorised absence, out with the normal organisation sickness absence triggers, should be considered an appropriate adjustment under the Equality Act 2010. This would be identified within your Supporting Staff Attendance Policy.
If you feel your policy doesn’t include this, you can get support from our Supporting staff attendance pages.
Other areas of consideration
Areas that you should consider and discuss with your employee based on their personal experience and treatments for arthritis may include:
- discussing the specific case and needs with the employee and ideally with an Occupational Health Specialist
- fluctuating health and stamina levels which may affect them more if they do shift work or full-time hours
- risk assessing work activities including emergency evacuation if the employee’s mobility is affected
- considering the length of time that work requires remaining in one position – standing, driving, holding items, walking distances required etc. These may change over time for the individual
- considering longer-term adjustments to the employee's immediate work area for example adjustments to the height, angle and position of workstations which may force repeated movement (eg standing, stooping or twisting)
- risk assessment of desk based workers to identify whether chair, desk, keyboard and mouse are suitable or require replacement. Also considering other support, i.e. voice-activated software, hands-free telephone headset. These items will be covered in a DSE assessment
- adjusting workload and work targets
- amending work rotas (e.g. starting later and finishing earlier at work to avoid rush hour), home working if appropriate or a combination of both
Employees experiencing symptoms of long covid may show similar symptoms and the management and adjustments recommended for arthritis, may be suitable support for those with long covid.
Key sources of support
Key sources of support for both the employer and employee include:
- NHS Inform Arthritis pages (external site)
- Arthritis information on Versus Arthritis (external site)
- Arthritis Foundation – managing arthritis (external site).
If you or your employees have a health condition impacting work, they could benefit from the support of Working Health Services Scotland (WHSS).
WHSS provides free and confidential advice and health support for the self-employed and people working in companies with less than 250 employees.