With a diagnosis made on average at the age of 29, multiple sclerosis has a direct and strong impact on the professional lives of patients and their families. However, finding or keeping a job is essential to preserve the quality of life of patients as much as possible. A new program has just been launched to inform and raise awareness on this theme, but above all to demonstrate that work and multiple sclerosis are compatible.
Multiple sclerosis and employment
Multiple sclerosis has significant physical and psychological consequences for patients, but also impacts their life plans, both personal and professional, considerably altering patients’ quality of life.
Generally diagnosed around the age of 30, multiple sclerosis (MS) can disrupt professional careers, both in finding a new job and in keeping an existing job.
In 2017, a study showed that 87% of people with MS consider that their disease represents a real obstacle to finding a job. At the same time, more than 3 out of 4 employers believe that the unpredictable nature of the progression of the disease negatively influences the professional life of patients, but also of their relatives. Talking about one’s illness often proves to be a beneficial approach since 70% of the participants in the study declared that the announcement of their illness had had a positive impact on their employment (proactive and benevolent consideration of colleagues and employers, adjustments to working conditions).
These figures reveal the need for better information and awareness of employers and workers on the specific characteristics of MS, which often remain poorly understood by the general public.
The “ Work and MS ” program
In April 2018, a program called “ Work & MS ” was launched by several MS patient associations (APF France Handicap, UNISEP, and LFSEP) and the Roche laboratory, with the aim of facilitating the professional career of people with multiple sclerosis. in plates.
The objective of this new system is to make the general public and business leaders aware of the fact that multiple sclerosis does not necessarily affect motivation, skills, or professional abilities.
Several phases will follow one another throughout 2018 to facilitate the integration of employees affected by MS into their professional environment. The first phase, which began in April, is the launch of a dedicated platform, providing coaching videos for business leaders and human resources departments, on the following four themes:
- The announcement of the disease, with the challenge of maintaining employment;
- Disability management within companies;
- Welcoming an employee with MS and the possibilities of a new work organization;
- The impact of MS on the career path of caregivers.
A call for testimonials
On this same platform, a second phase of the “ Work and MS ” program was launched in mid-May to encourage pairs of employers and employees with MS to come and share their experiences. The objective will be to share and promote 5 successful human and professional adventures.
The initiators of the program are therefore launching a call for witnesses for this second phase. To participate, all you have to do is register on the platform and share your testimony and that of your employer. Employer and employee can freely tell their story, provide advice, share best practices (organization, arrangements) and highlight the advantages of such an experience.
At the end of the call for testimonials, a jury made up of representatives of patient associations and institutions will select 5 professional adventures, illustrating a successful relationship and collaboration between a person with MS and their employer. These 5 testimonials will be published on the platform, in order to promote best practices for reconciling professional life and multiple sclerosis. If they wish, the selected pairs can become spokespersons for the “ Work and SEP ” operation with the media. Conversely, they can decide to remain anonymous throughout the operation.
This program is an initiative aiming to change society’s view of chronic diseases at work and to demonstrate that combining MS and professional life is possible.