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Joints, Muscles and Bones Rheumatoid Arthritis Work and study
Work and study
Living with RA

Work and study

Work and study is a common part of daily life and can be affected by RA. The degree of impact varies depending on the type of work you do and how well controlled your RA is through medication and management.1 

Some people with RA can continue to work without many problems, but most face some challenges.1

In a recent survey, 63% of people with RA were in employment compared to 55% in 2007. This is an encouraging improvement.1

Common challenges to working with RA include:

  • Difficulty sitting or standing for long periods
  • Difficulty typing or writing, if your RA affects your fingers, hands, or wrists
  • Side effects from medications used to treat your RA2

Accommodations can often be made by employers. For example, this may include:

  • Making the workplace more easily accessible2
  • Allowing a flexible work schedule, including start and end times and ability to work from home2
  • Allowing medical leave2
  • Providing equipment such as a specially designed keyboard, voice recognition, or writing aids. Foam wedges for desk chairs can provide support for your spine.2,3

If you are looking for a new job, you may wish to…

  • Learn about the workplace and role you are applying for. Is there any flexibility over hours, working from home, etc?
  • Consider the physical demands of the job, including the activities involved (e.g., travel), and whether you are sitting or standing
  • Chat to your healthcare team about the physical demands of jobs you are considering
  • Consider what strengths you can bring to the workplace4

References

  1. National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society. I Want to Work – A guide for people with Rheumatoid Arthritis on rights and responsibilities in the work place. Available at: https://nras.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/woocommerce_uploads/2020/12/134579-I-Want-to-Work-Booklet-FINAL-2021-ukmknu.pdf. Last accessed April 2025.
  2. WebMD. Managing RA at Work. Available at: https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/managing-ra-at-work. Last accessed April 2025.
  3. InformedHealth.org. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG); 2006-. Rheumatoid arthritis: Learn More – Daily living aids for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK384454/. Last accessed April 2025.
  4. Arthritis Foundation. Entering or Reentering the Workforce with Arthritis Limitations. Available at: https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/healthy-living/daily-living/work-life-balance/entering-workforce-arthritis. Last accessed April 2025.