On this page, we break down how to navigate managing a successful working life alongside the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. We encourage you to Bring Your MS to Work by understanding what support you are entitled to, figuring out what you need, and finding the right words to ask for it.
Bring your MS to work
The symptoms of MS affects people in many ways, across many aspects of their life.
Naturally, MS can have a very big effect on someone's working life.
In our 2023 Life Changing Report, 54% of you told us that changes to your working life and career affected your mental health the most. 23% of you told us that you'd reduced your hours or responsibilities at work, and 15% struggled with an unsupportive work environment. 42% of you told us you had given up work or medically retired due to your MS.
According to a report published by Economist Impact in 2024, the overall economic impact of MS in 2019 was £2.78bn. You can read the full report here.
The report highlighted that people with MS have 15 - 30% lower employment levels than those who do not. We know that people with MS also face hidden additional costs, impacting financial security. People with MS - just like everybody else - should be able to work for as long as they want, and deserve support from their workplace to help make this happen.
If you have MS, the prospect of managing your symptoms and navigating working life might bring up a lot of questions. Questions such as:
- Should I tell my employer about my MS?
- How do I tell my employer about my MS?
- What rights do I have as an employee?
- How can I look after myself at work?
- What support is available to help me continue to work?
The Multiple Sclerosis Trust is here to help you find the answers to these questions, and empower you with information to help you lead a fulfilling working life.
We know that the burden of having to hide or ignore your MS symptoms can make working life a lot harder. That's why we're encouraging those who can to Bring Your MS to Work.
Bring Your MS to Work
Bringing Your MS to work is all about your personal agency.
It's up to you if, when, and how you Bring Your MS to Work. It might look like making some practical adjustments, such as asking for specialist equipment, extra breaks, changing your working hours, or simply sharing your diagnosis. You might choose to tell just a few colleagues about your diagnosis, or you may choose to share it widely.
Though you're not required to tell your employer about your MS, you may find it a great emotional relief to bring your full authentic self to work, without fear of discrimination.
This might sound daunting, but luckily, you don't have to do it alone. The MS Trust is here to support you with our website, resources, and publications.
- Our new MS disclosure checklist 'Telling people at work about your MS' is designed to help start the conversation with your employers or colleagues, without disclosing more about your condition than you want.
- Our webpage on Working Life outlines some of the ways MS may impact how you think about your career, why you might want to share your diagnosis, and how to request support in the workplace, including rights that are protected by the Equality Act and what your employer is required to do to support you.
- Our friendly MS Trust Helpline team can give guidance on all aspects of life with MS, including any questions you have about your career or working life. You can reach us on our free phone from Monday to Friday between 10 and 4 on 0800 032 38 39. Or email ask@mstrust.org.uk anytime.
- Our free information sheets, 'Someone I know has MS', or ‘Telling People About your MS’ might also be good places to start. You're in the best position to educate and inform your colleagues about your MS, and how it affects you, but sharing our information can make the conversation easier.
You can order publications through our Online Shop. All are available in digital and print formats and can be delivered free to your inbox or home.
- If your workplace has a newsletter, you could share the story of your diagnosis there, just like Jane Webber did at her workplace. Jane found that sharing her diagnosis made her closer to her colleagues in an unexpected way, and gave her confidence to be more open about the support she needed at work.
I actually shared my MS journey with the wider business - and there was a colleague that is not somebody I work closely with, but somebody that does also have MS. Through me sharing my experiences, they felt able to talk about their journey as well, which was really helpful - they felt a lot of benefit from doing that.
Jane
You can also read other personal stories about work on our website - just filter by News type and Topic.
If all companies in the FTSE 100 donated a minimum of 1% of their pre-tax profits, it would raise £3.1bn for the charity sector.
This statistic comes from this Business Reporter 2023 Article.
That's why we're asking both employees and employers - what can your 1% do?
1% of an 8 hour working day is about 5 minutes. Can you take 5 minutes to show support to your colleague with MS by asking them if they need help?
1% of an average 250 working days in a year is 2 and a half days. Could you use this time to fundraise or volunteer for the MS Trust, helping raise funds and awareness for MS support?
1% of a corporation's pre-tax profits could help us achieve so much, if you are in a position to advocate for increasing your company's charitable giving.
The MS Trust provides vital services to those living with MS to ensure that a life with MS is not a life defined by MS.
Our helpline provides quick and immediate answers to questions, our information and support provide further support. Our work funding and training your Specialist MS Nurses enable people with MS across the United Kingdom to receive the very best in multiple sclerosis care, in the clinic and at home. We even get involved in research about people living with MS and how this can affect their work.
Find out more about how you can support us through the workplace with your 1% - no matter what that looks like:
