| A Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently | | | | and if to tell an employer about your disease and how |
| reported that arthritis limits millions of working | | | | it affects you. If your company has a strong |
| Americans' productivity, activity, or ability to work. | | | | commitment to hiring people with disabilities, your |
| According to the Arthritis Foundation's coverage of the | | | | disease could be an asset. It could also be an asset if |
| report, state-specific data shows those reporting | | | | the position requires someone who understands the |
| arthritis-related work limitations ranged from 25 percent | | | | effects of chronic disease. To aide in making your |
| in Nevada to 51 percent in Kentucky. The state median | | | | decision, consider three things: |
| is 33 percent. These significant statistics come with a | | | | 1. Whether your disability is obvious. |
| price tag with another CDC study showing | | | | 2. Whether you need special accommodations in order |
| state-specific earning losses in 2003 which ranged | | | | to do the job. |
| from $78 million to $4.3 billion due to arthritis. In that | | | | 3. The effort it will require to keep your arthritis hidden. |
| same year, the total cost of arthritis to the U.S. | | | | Depending on your answers to these considerations, |
| economy was $128 billion. | | | | you may choose to remain silent about your arthritis. |
| A previously released CDC report also shows | | | | On the other hand, arthritis, or a related disease, is likely |
| unemployment is higher in every state among people | | | | to raise questions in your employer's mind about your |
| with arthritis. CDC also anticipates that the number of | | | | ability to do the job. It's important to discuss arthritis |
| people with arthritis will increase significantly over the | | | | with your supervisor at a time when neither of you is |
| next few years, resulting in a loss of human resources | | | | under pressure. Make it plain you are not looking for |
| and a greater economic impact across the country. | | | | sympathy, but for ways to resolve the problem that |
| "A strong nation needs a strong workforce," said | | | | will benefit the company, your co-workers, and |
| Geroges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), | | | | yourself. The goal of the meeting is to generate a |
| executive director of the American Public Health | | | | supportive atmosphere. Be prepared to offer |
| Association. "This study shows that our workforce is | | | | suggestions for possible changes, based on research |
| hindered, in some states quite substantially, by arthritis. | | | | you did before the meeting. |
| Public health, in partnership with employers and | | | | Know as much as possible about the ADA |
| communities can change that." | | | | (Americans with Disabilities Act), items you need to do |
| Perceptions play a large role in empowering those in | | | | your job more effectively, the costs of these items |
| the workforce who suffer from arthritis. Co-workers | | | | (called assistive devices), and resources to help your |
| who are unaware of you arthritis can become | | | | employer. Tax deductions or tax credits may be |
| resentful if they feel you are not doing your share of | | | | available to certain employers who provide |
| the work. | | | | accommodations and/or jobs for people with |
| Even those who may know about your arthritic | | | | disabilities. Chances are the changes you may need |
| condition may think of it as "aches and pains." Because | | | | may not cost much. |
| arthritis and related conditions are often "invisible" | | | | Realize that subtle discrimination in some companies |
| diseases, it makes them harder to explain. Or | | | | may still exist, especially when it comes to promotions. |
| employees with arthritis may become worried that | | | | Some unions may have a problem with allowing |
| they will be treated differently or denied opportunities if | | | | workers with disabilities to take jobs that have been |
| people know about their arthritis. Or they may be | | | | reserved as rewards for workers with seniority. Your |
| tempted to ignore their body's warnings and work | | | | company's personnel manager may ask the union's |
| harder to cover up their arthritis. | | | | help in working out a solution in such instances. |
| In all reality, it's necessary to carefully consider when | | | | |