Flexible Work Arrangements for Arthritis
For employees with arthritis, the right schedule might help with workplace productivity.
Medical appointments, morning stiffness, fatigue and unpredictable periods of pain or increased disease activity can make it difficult for many employees with arthritis to maintain regular work schedules. As an employer, offering flexible work arrangements can significantly enhance these employees’ productivity and well-being.
“Many employers today are rethinking traditional job arrangements in order to retain good employees with health conditions who can benefit from a shorter workday and less stress,” explains Lynn Berger, a career counselor in New York City. And since the COVID-19 pandemic, flexible schedules have become much more common.
Flexible work arrangements are beneficial for all employees. Not only can they help employees accommodate health conditions that impact their work day, they can also reduce the stress of long commutes, help all employees manage personal responsibilities and create a healthier work-life balance.
Options for Flexible Work Arrangements
Flexible work arrangements can be particularly advantageous for employees whose arthritis-related limitations affect their ability to commute or work in the office. The most common types of flexible work arrangements are flexible work hours and working from home.
Here’s what you need to know about each.
Flexible Work Hours. Many employers provide an option for employees to choose their start and end time as long as they either ensure their work is done or they work at least a certain number of hours per day. Flexible work hours are beneficial for employees who struggle with morning stiffness or late-afternoon energy slumps due to fatigue or difficulty traveling to and from work during high-traffic commute times. Some companies require employees to set a regular schedule, but others allow adjustments on a weekly or daily basis. You can determine what is best for your company and your employees.
Working from Home. Working from home isn’t an option for all employees, but office shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic showed it is a feasible option for many. Today’s technology facilitates remote work through online conference calls, cloud storage, email, laptops and tablets, ensuring employees have access to all necessary tools.
Whether they drive their cars to work or take public transportation, the ability to work from home at least some days reduces difficulties related to commuting. Furthermore, working from home allows your employees to work in a comfortable setting where they can control themselves and offers opportunities for more accessible self-care such as keeping medications for injections refrigerated, preparing special foods or taking a break for a brief “power nap”.
Communicating Flexible Work Options to Employees
It’s important to let employees know that flexible work options are available and how to request them if needed.
Typically, this will involve filing a written request with their supervisor and/or human resources representative to work out details. The request should outline the details of their flexible work arrangement; include how they will communicate with clients, co-workers and supervisors; and highlight how flexible arrangements can benefit their productivity and job satisfaction.
Legal Considerations: Flex Work and the ADA
If flexible work options are not available to other employees in your company, and an employee's arthritis qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), flexible work arrangements may be considered a reasonable accommodation required by law.
"Employers must provide these types of reasonable accommodations when they are effective and do not pose an undue hardship on the employer," says Linda Batiste, principal consultant with the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).
Flexibility: A Win-Win
Creating a flexible work environment for employees with arthritis not only helps them manage their condition but it also promotes a more inclusive and productive workplace. By understanding and accommodating their needs, you can retain valuable employees and foster a supportive work culture.
“Many employers today are rethinking traditional job arrangements in order to retain good employees with health conditions who can benefit from a shorter workday and less stress,” explains Lynn Berger, a career counselor in New York City. And since the COVID-19 pandemic, flexible schedules have become much more common.
Flexible work arrangements are beneficial for all employees. Not only can they help employees accommodate health conditions that impact their work day, they can also reduce the stress of long commutes, help all employees manage personal responsibilities and create a healthier work-life balance.
Options for Flexible Work Arrangements
Flexible work arrangements can be particularly advantageous for employees whose arthritis-related limitations affect their ability to commute or work in the office. The most common types of flexible work arrangements are flexible work hours and working from home.
Here’s what you need to know about each.
Flexible Work Hours. Many employers provide an option for employees to choose their start and end time as long as they either ensure their work is done or they work at least a certain number of hours per day. Flexible work hours are beneficial for employees who struggle with morning stiffness or late-afternoon energy slumps due to fatigue or difficulty traveling to and from work during high-traffic commute times. Some companies require employees to set a regular schedule, but others allow adjustments on a weekly or daily basis. You can determine what is best for your company and your employees.
Working from Home. Working from home isn’t an option for all employees, but office shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic showed it is a feasible option for many. Today’s technology facilitates remote work through online conference calls, cloud storage, email, laptops and tablets, ensuring employees have access to all necessary tools.
Whether they drive their cars to work or take public transportation, the ability to work from home at least some days reduces difficulties related to commuting. Furthermore, working from home allows your employees to work in a comfortable setting where they can control themselves and offers opportunities for more accessible self-care such as keeping medications for injections refrigerated, preparing special foods or taking a break for a brief “power nap”.
Communicating Flexible Work Options to Employees
It’s important to let employees know that flexible work options are available and how to request them if needed.
Typically, this will involve filing a written request with their supervisor and/or human resources representative to work out details. The request should outline the details of their flexible work arrangement; include how they will communicate with clients, co-workers and supervisors; and highlight how flexible arrangements can benefit their productivity and job satisfaction.
Legal Considerations: Flex Work and the ADA
If flexible work options are not available to other employees in your company, and an employee's arthritis qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), flexible work arrangements may be considered a reasonable accommodation required by law.
"Employers must provide these types of reasonable accommodations when they are effective and do not pose an undue hardship on the employer," says Linda Batiste, principal consultant with the Job Accommodation Network (JAN).
Flexibility: A Win-Win
Creating a flexible work environment for employees with arthritis not only helps them manage their condition but it also promotes a more inclusive and productive workplace. By understanding and accommodating their needs, you can retain valuable employees and foster a supportive work culture.
Stay in the Know. Live in the Yes.
Get involved with the arthritis community. Tell us a little about yourself and, based on your interests, you’ll receive emails packed with the latest information and resources to live your best life and connect with others.