Arthritis, Joint Pain, and Back Pain
The Basics
What are arthritis, joint pain, and back pain?
Arthritis, joint pain, and back pain are leading chronic illnesses, which cause people to leave the workforce.
There are as many as 150 different forms of arthritis affecting people of all ages, including children. It is estimated that 1 in 5 Canadians are living with the condition. Other possible causes of joint and back pain include injury, repetitive strain, mechanical back pain, tendinitis, bursitis, fibromyalgia, and sarcoidosis, to name a few.
This website aims to help employers understand and support their employees with arthritis, joint pain, and back pain so that their employees can manage their condition and remain at work.
Arthritis, joint pain, and back pain and the workplace
Symptoms of arthritis, joint pain, and back pain vary across different conditions and among different people. Many people can carry out all their work duties without any limitations, especially when their condition is under control. For others, these conditions may slow career progression, require changes in employment to accommodate their condition, create concern about future employment, or force people give up work.
What can you do to help?
Your workplace can do a lot to help, and it doesn’t have to be difficult. These steps can build a better workplace for everyone:
- Create understanding
- Increase education and awareness
- Be aware and open to accommodations
- Be pro-active
Every step forward is progress, even if it’s just understanding more about arthritis and other chronic conditions and their impact in the workplace.
The next sections will provide more detailed information on arthritis in the workplace: