Working WITH a Rheumatic Disease
Knowledge is power… And what better way to feel empowered in navigating the workplace with a rheumatic disease than to understand your rights and how to advocate for them?
Whether you’re a teenager looking for your first job, a young adult looking for workplace advocacy or disclosure tips, or a parent wanting to ensure your teen/youth gets the support they need at work this webpage is here to help you get up for success!
Advocating for your Rheumatic Disease Needs in the Workplace Webinar
Brought to you in collaboration with the Institute of Work and Health, JIA Transition Clinic at Women’s College Hospital, Toronto and young adults with lived experience, this webinar delves into the realm “Beyond Transition” and the doctor’s office, focusing on advocating for health needs in the workplace.
In this session, you’ll gain insights from:
- A young adult sharing her career journey abroad, including experiences with two major employers such as the LEGO Group
- A representative from the Institute for Work and Health
- The dedicated team from the JIA Transition Clinic at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto
- Plus, a labor lawyer will guide you through understanding your “Workplace Rights”
Meet the Speakers
Arif Jetha – Associate Scientific Director and Scientist, Institute for Work and Health
Arif’s program of research aims to understand how sociopolitical, technological, environmental and economic changes that characterize the future of work affect the health and employment participation of vulnerable workers. He is also interested in understanding how changing working conditions can shape the labour market experiences of youth and young adults living with disabilities and chronic disease at the early career phase and across the life course.
He collaborates closely with diverse research partners to produce findings that can inform policy and practice. Jetha is currently the recipient of the Stars Career Development Salary Award from the Arthritis Society.
Alison Legge – Young Adult Speaker with JIA, Currently Working at Lego Group
Alison is passionate about sharing her experiences growing up with juvenile idiopathic arthritis to help youth and their families living with rheumatic diseases. Born in Vancouver, BC, she obtained her bachelors in computer science and applied math from the university of Oregon in 2018. She returned to Vancouver for a few years before relocating to London, England in 2021 where she now works as a Senior Data Specialist at the LEGO Group.
In her spare time, Alison can be found on the golf course, curled up on the floor reading with her dog, Jovo, or exploring all the London’s pub scene has to offer.
Alison’s powerful story and experience navigating work with JA was recently featured in the Vancouver publication, the Tyee.
Saneliso Moyo – Partner, Goldblatt Partners LLP in Toronto
As a lover of story-telling, Saneliso believes that as a litigator her job is to help her clients tell their story. Through that storytelling, she helps unions and workers to enforce their rights and make change!
A fierce advocate for racial and gender equity, the law is Saneliso’s tool of choice in the fight to advance social justice. Saneliso enjoys providing advice and developing creative solutions to issues facing her union clients in all aspects of labour relations. Whether in bargaining, mediation or arbitration, she takes great care to listen to her clients, understand their needs and goals, and to craft a plan to meaningfully address them.
Saneliso represents both public and private sector unions across a wide range of industries and enjoys the challenge of learning about the complexities of each workplace. Her clients have included education workers, teachers, faculty members, performers, health care and transit workers.
Dr. Natasha Gakhal and Dr. Evelyn Rozenblyum – JIA Transition Clinic Team
Pediatric Rheumatologist, Dr Evelyn Rozenblyum and Adult Rheumatologist, Dr Natasha Gakhal make up the Juvenile Arthritis Transition Clinic at Women’s College Hospital in Toronto – an innovative model of care where pediatric, adult and allied health practitioners see and manage young adults with juvenile arthritis to improve medical and psychosocial outcomes for the community. This is their fourth year collaborating with Cassie + Friends to deliver a transition-focused virtual education session for families affected from right across Canada!
2:50 – Warm Welcome from Executive Director, Jennifer Wilson
7:30 – Dr. Natasha Gakhal & Dr. Evelyn Rozenblyum on transitioning from pediatric to adult care
25:47 – Alison Legge shares her story about navigating the workplace as a young woman with JA, providing valuable information and advice
45:48 – Arif Jetha from the Institute for Work and Health discusses the impacts of rheumatic diseases at work and provides tools to support those with complex health needs in the workplace
1:02:53 – Saneliso Moyo, Labour Lawyer and Partner at Goldblatt Partners LLP, provides a legal perspective to help you know your rights in the workplace
1:20:01 – Commentary on Saneliso Moyo’s presentation Executive Director, Jennifer Wilson
1:22:44 – Q&A Question #1: Is there a name or a way to distinguish between people who grew up with arthritis as opposed to those who get these conditions as adults?
1:24:46 – Alison Legge discusses her experience disclosing her JA to her employers
1:25:45 – Arif Jetha on accommodations and disclosure
1:26:48 – Saneliso Moyo on documentation to support accommodation requests
1:29:44 – Dr. Natasha Gakhal on physician’s notes and the importance of the patient making the ask
1:31:14 – Dr. Evelyn Rozenblyum on physician’s notes for schools and higher education institutions
1:32:13 – Alison Legge on her move from Canada to the US and how US healthcare worked for her
1:33:38 – Saneliso Moyo answers question about disclosing medical appointments to employers
1:33:55 – Arif Jetha answers question on what types of jobs are good for people with rheumatic diseases to pursue
1:37:00 – Closing Remarks from Executive Director, Jennifer Wilson
helpful resources
Government of Canada: Disability Benefits
If you are not able to find work because of your health, you may be entitled to disability benefits and other supports
In partnership with the Institute of Work and Health, we are so excited to bring you a step-by-step resource for teens and young adults with rheumatic disease in the workforce. Working with a rheumatic disease as a young adult can bring many challenges, and this tool is designed to offer recommendations and information to help you navigate a positive work-life balance (despite physical and psychological challenges). Whether you are currently looking for work, have a job, or are not able to work, this tool will provide you with the right path and resources to help you adapt to the challenges of your rheumatic disease.
Accommodating and Communicating about Episodic Disabilities (ACED) is a research project bringing together researchers and community partners to develop evidence-based workplace tools, resources and training programs to support the sustained employment of people with episodic disabilities.
Developed by ACED, the Job Demands and Accommodation Planning Tool (JDAPT), helps workers with chronic and episodic conditions—and the workplace parties who support them—identify accommodations tailored to job demands that allow workers to successfully stay in their jobs.
The Arthritis Society’s, Arthritis and Work initiative, provides employees and employers with tools to support joint health at work and to minimize the impact of arthritis symptoms.
- Flourish: Talk to a trusted health-care provider to learn what approaches may be available to help manage your health.
- Workplace accommodations for people with arthritis
- Planning Your Conversation About Arthritis at Work
other resources
