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Date: 02.08.2012
From: Kim

Subject: Jobs for people with ra

Hi everyone
Im hoping to return to work soon and was wondering how people manage to work who have ra?I suffer with chronic fatigue and joint pain and am wondering whether I would be better to do a few hours a day or do a full day and then have the following day off? I used to work full time when my pain was not as bad and I ended up having so much time off sick, so really want to make sure I get it right this time round!
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Date: 03.08.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

This is a tough one Kim. You have to judge it totally on what you can think you manage. Flexible working may be the answer or a job where you can work remotely at home sometimes. What did you do before?
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Date: 03.08.2012
From: Kim

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi bsk,
I worked in an office in quite a stressful job which Im sure impacted on my health and my gp told me I needed to slow down otherwise I would be storing up problems for when I got older.
I think ideally I would like to work two and a half days a week maximum so Iv got a couple of days to recover each week. I just really want to get it right this time as dont want to let anybody down but also dont want to make my health problems worse!
Hope you are keeping well?
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Date: 03.08.2012
From: Chris

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hey Kim,
good luck with returning to work, nice to hear.

It might be useful to measure how much you can do now before fatigue/pain levels get too high. You'll be able to make it clear to an employer what your limits are and will also give you confidence in your own abilities.

Write down your results for over the course of a week and average them out.
You could also add how long your able to stand/sit for too. If you get into it you can add other things like how long you need to rest/sleep for.
As a side note, this can be a really interesting process. The patterns that emerge can point out obvious things that we've overlooked about ourselves.
For me, it pointed out the need for me to force myself to rest during the afternoon for 2 hours (something i still struggle to do!).

I'd also probably think it's best to ease back into work and build slowly back up. Remember you've got a fair amount of work just to keep your life going!
Best of luck to you,
Chris
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Date: 03.08.2012
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi Kim, fair play to you. I hope you achieve returning to work, but remember your health comes first. Good Luck and Take Care xx
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Date: 04.08.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi Kim, that sounds quite reasonable as long as you think you we be able to manage most of the time. I hope you find something suitable but Marlene is right, put your health first.

I'm doing ok, a bit tired as have had family around all week and I've been doing quite a bit of ferrying people around. Plan to spend tomorrow on the sofa watching the Games. Tried desperately to get tickets but impossible to get.

Have a good weekend! xx
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Date: 04.08.2012
From: kylee

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

hi kim i do 2 days a week 8hr shift and 4 hour shift at the min at a supermarket as a cashier. i only started 12 weeks ago. i struggled realy bad to start with working on the tills however i have learnt to keep shifting from sitting to standing so i dnt get to stiff. i also ask the customers to leave heavy items in the trolly like beer ect and use the hand gun to scan them through i hope to increase my hours slowly till i hit my limits.
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Date: 04.08.2012
From: Kim

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi everyone
Thanks for all your advice. I have been in such a dilemma about going back to work as my health is really not too good (like everyone else on here!) unfortunately thanks to good old government who have stopped my esa payments I have to go back to work as we cant afford for me not to work. Realistically I know my health is not going to improve so thats why I want to make sure I dont overdo it as dont want to make my health any worse as I have two young children to look after as well. I do remember my gp saying to me years ago when i was first diagnosed with ra that it is a good idea to work if you can even just for a few hours as it can stop you from getting too depressed and I think he is right.
I have applied for several jobs but it is proving to be really tough even to get an interview. I have been told by my return to work advisor to not tell employers about my disability on my cv and try not to go to interviews using my crutches! That is proving really hard so far.
Chris that sounds like a good plan in terms of writing down when I get most tired and in most pain, will have to try that.Kylee you are a superstar for working as a cashier, I didnt think I would be able to do that but it may be worth looking into.
I read a quote somewhere saying that arthritis wont kill you but it can take away your life, well Im determined to beat this! I know I cant do anywhere near as much as I used to and the pain is horrible but I try to focus on what I can do now rather than what I cant!
BSK I hope you managed to have some time on the sofa today, what a fab day we have had at the olympics!
Take care all xx
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Date: 05.08.2012
From: bsk

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Yes it was. Go GB!

I'm surprised to hear you were advised not to mention your disability as, if you have one, I understood they were obliged to interview you - something to do with the Disability Discrimination Act. Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

I would find it extremely hard to go for a job interview and not disclose my status. Can you really start a job without your employer knowing about your condition and putting things into place to help you to do your job? I couldn't. I would be too worried about not fulfilling my side of the contract or my employer not understanding about flare ups or other problems like regular hospital visits etc.

What do the rest of you all think? (soz,don't mean to hijack your thread!)
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Date: 05.08.2012
From: sue d

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Had ra 7 years was working full time untill 2 years ago ,decided to get another job with less hours and less traveling to and from work on application form i put i had ra but nothing else, at interview it was not mentioned to me so i said nothing more ,i would not like to be treated any different to other staff.as time goes on i am finding it more difficult and have a limp by end of shift doing 30 hrs week at moment with too many pain killers .When i am not working i am too knackered to do anything,its quite a physicle job so feel i get excersize and movement at work then come home for hot bath and do absorlutly nothing.
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Date: 05.08.2012
From: Kim

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi BSK and Sue

BSK I totally agree with you I want to be totally honest when I start a job and I have mentioned it at every interview that I have been to, I was a bit disgusted when the agency worker who is supposed to be helping me return to work adivsed me to lie. I must say she really hasnt got a clue with what to do with people who are trying to return to work who have an illness or disability, I have had to do everything myself with no offer from them to retrain to do a less physical job.
Sue you are a star for doing a physical job for 30 hours a week. I found that in my interviews when they were asking me what I do for my hobbys/fun and I couldnt come up with anything as when I have got through the usual daily stuff Im in too much pain or too exhausted to do anything, then the person interviewing me is obviously thinking that Im not up for the job if Im that unwell.
BSK that is why im being so particualr abobut what sort of job I apply for as I would not want to do anything that would be too much for me which would end up with me letting them down and also affecting my health. I think in an ideal world we should be completley honest when applying for a job abobut what we can and cant do but I honsetly feel that it counts against us still if we do.
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Date: 05.08.2012
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi Kim, when they ask you about hobby's don't stumble just say I have two young children and most of my spare time is spent with them, but when I do get a spare moment I like to read on the sofa, relax in the bath,trawl around the internet. Just make yourself sound interesting. At the end of the day most mums don't have the time for hobby's or the money I certainly never did!!!!
I hope you find something to suit you soon. Hopefully they will reinstate your money.
Take Care and Keep Your Chin UP xx
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Date: 06.08.2012
From: Bee

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi there,

I just found the site (and live in the U.S.), but would like to join. I've been having trouble finding other young people with inflammatory arthritis online. Anyways, I have psoriatic arthritis, and a few other major health issues. I recently went back to work for a year (I'm a social worker), and survived, but wasn't allowed to take time when I needed it, etc. Then a job came up closer to home, and I went and interviewed. It is still high stress, but the office environment/commute much better!

So what I did, was during the interview I did mention I was out as I had major heart surgery (true), but that "it's now taken care of and I'm doing well." Mostly true. You should definitely feel out how much to say when you are interviewing. Then when I got the job, before accepting it, I explained to my supervisor that I have one surgery hanging over my head, and that I would need to go to regular doctors appointments before I had time and would this be a problem? She said no, and she's been great. I was also able to get permission to type my notes, and a few other things (like wearing tennis shoes), that wouldn't normally be allowed.

So it worked out (this time), but it was nerve wracking, as I've also been discriminated against at work for reasons I couldn't help, due to my health. I'm still on probation, but I think it's going well.

Now you got me curious too, I should keep a record to see if I can find out which parts of my week make my pain/fatigue worse. That's a great idea.

Bee
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Date: 06.08.2012
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hello Bee, good to hear from you.
How refreshing to hear you have such caring employers.I do hope your probation goes well!!
I am sure some of our younger members will also be glad to know there are some understanding employers out there. Albeit in the US.

You will find so much information on here and the girls and guys are very supportive of everyone.
Take Care and sending best wishes to you.
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Date: 06.08.2012
From: Kim

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi Marlene
I have closed my esa claim as so tired of going to medicals and I do want to return to work, Im hoping ideally to get a job working from home so commuting wont be an issue and I can adjust my own environment.I was really caught on the hop when they asked me what I like doing in my soare time as I was so geared up to answering the professional questions!
Bee its good to hear from someone from the US. they sound like pretty good employers.I used to work for social services over here and I must say working for local government was good as they are very supportive for people who are unwell/disabled.
Hope everyone is as well as can be!xx
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Date: 06.08.2012
From: marlene

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi Kim, I hope you get a job soon working from home sounds good. I know what you mean about getting caught on the hop. I hated interviews, stuttered stumble and sometimes totally clammed up.(not usual for me haha)
I hope you get what you are looking for fingers crossed. Take Care xx
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Date: 21.08.2012
From: Michelle

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi Kim,
When applying for job, I would say don't declare on your application; wait until you have the job offer and then declare. This means you're telling your employer before you sign the contract, but by this time they have already offered you the job based on your suitability and competencies for the job, not your physical abilities. If they are decent enough, they will reassure you that they will be flexible, if not, keep looking elsewhere!
Once in post, go and see Occupation Health (you can request that your line manager makes you an appointment, even better as it keeps them in the loop), and they can set you guidelines for your working pattern based upon the information you give them re your condition.
Hope that helps :)

Michelle
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Date: 21.08.2012
From: Kim

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi Michelle
Thanks for the advice. I just applied for a part time job today and had to mention the ra as they wanted the reason why I left my last job and I had to be honest and tell them that it was because my ra was not controlled and the full time position was making my condition worse. I put a positive spin on it thoughstating that I have worked hard to get my condition as stable as possible and now can only work part time. Its working for the local authority and as Im registered disabled as long as I meet criteria for the job I am guranteed an interview which is good, so fingers crossed!
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Date: 22.08.2012
From: Two hip replacements and still going!

Subject: Re: Jobs for people with ra

Hi Kim, another thing you can do is to make an appointment with the manager for an informal chat before your interview (or before you put in an application). You can explain why you haven't been working and it gives them a chance to see you are fit enough to return to work, it also has the benefit of putting you in their mind. Making speculative phone calls or letters to companies to find out if they have jobs is another way of finding work. I have got my last two teaching posts by sending spec letters and the job I had in between I got through word of mouth and an informal chat. Hope you get something soon. Ruth
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