Re: What are the best employment opportunities for peo

[Guest guest]

I have RA. I work full time. I have a job that at times can be

quite stressful. I work for a local government department handling

payroll & personnel matters of approximately 125 employees. Even

though I have a desk job, it's still rough. Some of the employees

personnel files have gotten so large that I cannot lift them out of

the file drawer. I am going to have to get together with my boss

about possibly hiring a part time employee to file things & do menial

tasks. I have piles of paperwork to be filed away & I don't have the

strength (nor the time) to do it as my phone rings constantly! It's

like if I could have a day of no phone calls, I could get a lot of

work done.

There are some days that I can barely move & in a lot of pain but I

manage to get to work every day. My husband works for a small

company but his salary isn't as much as mine & he has no benefits (no

paid time off, no health insurance). I have all of that through my

job. So, I need to work. If I got on disability, we couldn't make it

on a small disability check as opposed to what I am accustomed to

making.

As far employment opportunities for people with RA, one may want to

consider a job that offers flexible hours (I wish mine did!). It

also helps to have an understanding boss (fortunately, I do, as one

of my job duties required a lot of walking to all 10 floors in the

building to deliver pay checks to other departments, was assisgned to

another employee). If there's a part of your job that has become

difficult for you, meet with your boss to discuss an alternative

method of those duties. While meeting with your boss, let your boss

know that you don't mind doing tasks " x, y, & Z " , but with your

current situation it has become very difficult. This will let your

boss know that you are concerned about the work. Your boss will

appreciate your honesty. The ADA requires employers provide

reasonable accommodations to employees who are handicapped.

[Guest guest]

have you thought about the remicade infusion....i have found it very helpful....also putting undo stress on your joints and also on your mind is not good for ra....try to find a way for you to get away by yourself.....bedroom or quite place and think of relaxing only.....i found that when i was still working....i would take a 15-20min. sleep on my lunch hour....which was very helpful....i had one of those 60min. timers that i brought with me in my car and after i ate my lunch would go out there and take a nap....also if you have a break...try to get a walk in......getting away from the work place that you consider to be stressful...helps...even if it is for only 10mins...

norma

norma

----- Original Message -----

From: Barbara <ash_belle@...>

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 9:51 AM

Subject: Re: What are the best employment opportunities for peo

I have RA. I work full time. I have a job that at times can be quite stressful. I work for a local government department handling payroll & personnel matters of approximately 125 employees. Even though I have a desk job, it's still rough. Some of the employees personnel files have gotten so large that I cannot lift them out of the file drawer. I am going to have to get together with my boss about possibly hiring a part time employee to file things & do menial tasks. I have piles of paperwork to be filed away & I don't have the strength (nor the time) to do it as my phone rings constantly! It's like if I could have a day of no phone calls, I could get a lot of work done. There are some days that I can barely move & in a lot of pain but I manage to get to work every day. My husband works for a small company but his salary isn't as much as mine & he has no benefits (no paid time off, no health insurance). I have all of that through my job. So, I need to work. If I got on disability, we couldn't make iton a small disability check as opposed to what I am accustomed to making.As far employment opportunities for people with RA, one may want to consider a job that offers flexible hours (I wish mine did!). It also helps to have an understanding boss (fortunately, I do, as one of my job duties required a lot of walking to all 10 floors in the building to deliver pay checks to other departments, was assisgned to another employee). If there's a part of your job that has become difficult for you, meet with your boss to discuss an alternative method of those duties. While meeting with your boss, let your boss know that you don't mind doing tasks "x, y, & Z", but with your current situation it has become very difficult. This will let your boss know that you are concerned about the work. Your boss will appreciate your honesty. The ADA requires employers provide reasonable accommodations to employees who are handicapped.

[Guest guest]

Hello there,

Thanks for your reply. I have started the SSDI process. I

also met with a representative from the Division of Rehab. Services

to look at job options. She used to work for SS and says that it

looks like I won't be turned down for SSDI. I would like to work

part-time to supplement that income. I went to a temp agency

yesterday and took a bunch of computerized tests for 2 hours. My

hands and whole arm ached afterwards. I hope that I will know about

some income soon because my savings is dwindling fast.

I really appreciate hearing from you. I will keep you posted

as to what turns up.

Maxine

> I have RA. I work full time. I have a job that at times can be

> quite stressful. I work for a local government department handling

> payroll & personnel matters of approximately 125 employees. Even

> though I have a desk job, it's still rough. Some of the employees

> personnel files have gotten so large that I cannot lift them out of

> the file drawer. I am going to have to get together with my boss

> about possibly hiring a part time employee to file things & do

menial

> tasks. I have piles of paperwork to be filed away & I don't have

the

> strength (nor the time) to do it as my phone rings constantly!

It's

> like if I could have a day of no phone calls, I could get a lot of

> work done.

>

> There are some days that I can barely move & in a lot of pain but I

> manage to get to work every day. My husband works for a small

> company but his salary isn't as much as mine & he has no benefits

(no

> paid time off, no health insurance). I have all of that through my

> job. So, I need to work. If I got on disability, we couldn't make

it

> on a small disability check as opposed to what I am accustomed to

> making.

>

> As far employment opportunities for people with RA, one may want to

> consider a job that offers flexible hours (I wish mine did!). It

> also helps to have an understanding boss (fortunately, I do, as one

> of my job duties required a lot of walking to all 10 floors in the

> building to deliver pay checks to other departments, was assisgned

to

> another employee). If there's a part of your job that has become

> difficult for you, meet with your boss to discuss an alternative

> method of those duties. While meeting with your boss, let your

boss

> know that you don't mind doing tasks " x, y, & Z " , but with your

> current situation it has become very difficult. This will let your

> boss know that you are concerned about the work. Your boss will

> appreciate your honesty. The ADA requires employers provide

> reasonable accommodations to employees who are handicapped.