Home office with multiple sclerosis – what should you consider?
In some cases, MS can cause restrictions in everyday working life. In particular, these include difficulty concentrating and states of exhaustion that occur in connection with fatigue syndrome. This makes a work rhythm adapted to the illness important for many sufferers. It is not always easy to design the workplace in the office accordingly. This often requires a tolerant employer and understanding colleagues. It is therefore worth checking whether working from home is also possible. In times of corona or during autumn flu waves, this also offers additional protection against infection. We have summarized how you can set up a home office that makes sense for yourself here.
Why working from home can make sense
Many symptoms of MS are perceived by those affected as a burden on their everyday working life. The 624 respondents to a REHADAT study by the Cologne Institute for Economic Research named the following symptoms as particularly disturbing (in percent, multiple answers possible):
- Fatigue: 75.3%
- Cognitive impairments (e.g. difficulty concentrating): 62.3%
- Sensory disturbances (tingling): 42.1%
- coordination disorders: 36.5%
- muscle weakness: 29.6%
- Visual impairment: 29.6%
- Bladder and bowel disorders: 29.3%
- Pain: 25.2%
- Spasticity: 23.9%
- Depression: 23.7%
- Seizure-like symptoms: 5.3%
Fatigue and cognitive impairments in particular reduce the resilience of those affected. An adapted daily routine is therefore particularly important for those affected. This is where the particular benefit of working from home becomes apparent. The daily work routine can be made more flexible and adapted to one's own needs. If exhaustion suddenly strikes at lunchtime, it is easier to withdraw for as long as necessary, rest and postpone working hours until the evening. Frequent trips to the toilet - e.g. for MS-related bladder problems - are also perceived as less stressful at home. People who suffer from heat sensitivity can more easily sit by an open window or in front of the fan all day without disturbing colleagues. Physiotherapy appointments can also be more easily integrated into everyday work. The corona pandemic has highlighted another point: protection against infection. If drugs that suppress the immune system are used in MS therapy, the risk of infection naturally increases. Even outside of corona, working from home can therefore make sense, especially during typical cold seasons.
Is there a right to work from home?
The Corona pandemic has shown how many areas home office is actually possible in. Outside of the Infection Protection Act, however, there is normally no right to a home office, unless the employment contract explicitly provides for this. Severely disabled people are an exception, as they are entitled to a workplace suitable for their disability. In any case, the effort required to set up a home office must be reasonable for the employer. The employer should therefore be included in the employer's own considerations as early as possible. If available, this can also be done via the works council or inclusion officer. In contrast to the Corona home office that is quickly created from scratch, the employer must be able to provide a fully equipped teleworking station. Smaller companies in particular can quickly reach the limits of what is reasonable. In case of doubt, a court will decide where this limit lies.
Tips for everyday life in the home office
Once the organizational hurdles have been overcome, challenges still remain in everyday work. Many people find it difficult to concentrate on their work in their familiar home environment. With these tips, everyday work at home will be a success:
- Maintain morning routines before going to work. If possible, postpone distractions until after work.
- When working from home, private appointments or errands will often fall during working hours. Therefore, for self-control, the actual working time should be properly documented.
- One of the advantages of working from home is being able to distribute your working hours throughout the day according to your own needs. Depending on the type of person, however, this can also be perceived as stressful, as the line between work and everyday life becomes blurred. Find out quickly which working model you feel most comfortable with.
- Direct contact with colleagues is important for a healthy working environment. Use your means of communication not only for official messages, but also to keep the grapevine going. Regular appointments via video conference can also be helpful. If your health situation allows it, it is certainly advisable to have regular working days in the office.
- The commute to work often means you don't have the opportunity to exercise. Stay active, for example by taking a regular walk during your lunch break.
- Make sure you eat a balanced and healthy diet, for example Mediterranean food . It's very tempting to simply call a delivery service instead of going to the canteen. But your own kitchen offers the advantage of being able to quickly prepare a decent meal.
Conclusion: Home office is often a relief for MS
Depending on the industry, companies often rely on their on-site employees - and some bosses love having personal, direct access to their employees. If you work in an office, however, there is nothing to stop you from working from home. And this makes sense, especially if you have possible health problems such as those that can accompany MS. By avoiding the commute and other stressful situations, you save energy that many people with MS have to manage sparingly. Instead, you can invest this energy in your personal success and that of your employer. This argument should convince even the most skeptical boss to work from home.
