Working it out
Too many people with arthritis are being robbed of their chance to stay in work. Add your name to our Working it out campaign and join the push for change.
Our Working it out survey found that 59% of respondents had never heard of the government-funded Access to Work scheme, which can be used to pay for practical help, such as specialist equipment, transport to and from work and support workers. A quarter of people also told us their employer had not made reasonable adjustments to support them in their role.
The Working it out campaign is demanding change. We are calling on the Government to:
- Address operational issues with the Access to Work scheme
- Promote Access to Work to people with arthritis and related conditions
- Ensure employers are implementing Access to Work recommendations
- Clarify the meaning of “reasonable adjustments” so employees with arthritis receive the support they need
You can find out more about the problems that people with arthritis face in the workplace and our recommendations in our reports:
Working It Out: Demanding more from the Access to Work scheme
This report details the experiences people with arthritis and related conditions have had with the Access to Work scheme, and how they have found communicating with and accessing equipment and transport through the scheme.
Working It Out: Awareness of Access to Work and employer support
This report examines the lack of awareness of the Access to Work scheme amongst people with arthritis and related conditions, and what reasonable adjustments employers should be offering versus what people are experiencing.
What can you do?
- Sign up to our Campaigns Network.
Have a story to share?
If you have a story about working with arthritis or using Access to Work that you would like us to hear, please email us at campaigns@versusarthritis.org.
Need more information?
- Download our booklet on arthritis and work.
- Contact our helpline on 0800 5200 520 or email helpline@versusarthritis.org.
- Find out more about the Access to Work scheme or call on 0800 121 7479. If you live in Northern Ireland, find out more here.