Our Plus Employment Support service is here to make your work life – work for you!
If you're currently working, we can support you to decide if, when and how to disclose your neuroplogical condition to your employer. In doing so, it’s important to understand your rights, obligations, and the potential impact on your working life. We can also help you with a workstation assessment and improvement plan to make you more comfortable and efficient.
And if you're looking for work, we can help you write your resume and give you some tips to ace the interview.
But don’t just take our word for it – watch or read the stories of some of our clients below and learn how living with multiple sclerosis impacted their working life and how we were able to help. Or if you’d like to find out more about our Employment Support service, get in touch with our Plus Connect team.
Melita's story
Melita is a Senior Research Fellow with a PhD and more than 50 publications under her belt. She is currently leading several large research studies. You can watch Melita’s story or read more below.
Melita was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis in 2008, a year after her first son was born. She had learn to work around symptoms including cognitive fog, fatigue and nerve pain while completing her PhD.
‘I work across several locations and travel frequently. The visits to collaborators or conferences can be particularly fatiguing. That fatigue often rolls over into several days, which affects my capacity to work, but more importantly affects the time I should be enjoying with my family,’ Melita said.
Melita contacted our Plus Employment Support service for help to better manage her fatigue. After an initial consultation she was able to receive a fully funded workstation to enable her to work remotely.
‘I work one day a week from home now, which means I’m spending less time commuting and less time getting ready to go into the office. Working at home means I have fewer interruptions, so I’m often more productive at home than I am in the office, and at the end of the day I have more time and energy for my family!’
Melita's story
Nina’s story
Working as a Garment Technician, Nina is often measuring and assessing sample garments. Difficulty with the movement in her right hand due to multiple sclerosis was making her job incredibly hard. You can watch Nina’s story or read more below.
Reaching a point where she felt like she needed to speak up, Nina approached her manager and they contacted our Plus Employment Support service together to see what help was available.
Since contacting our team, Nina’s work life has improved drastically. She has been set up with a roller mouse for her computer that allows her to use both hands, and she’s learnt how to use voice recognition software which lets her dictate words instead of manually typing into her keyboard.
Mali, Nina’s Employment Support Service Consultant, has also organised ergonomic equipment which lets Nina measure garments more efficiently and easily.
Nina’s story
Tim's story
It was in 2008, soon after Tim had proposed to his wife and was enjoying his football career, that he first noticed symptoms of multiple sclerosis. You can watch Tim’s story or read more below.
Blurred vision turned into double vision and before long numbness set in. Cleverly Tim diversified his professional life and changed to a high-profile role with an international airline carrier that required less mobility.
He also continued his passion for sport, taking up wheelchair basketball.
Trying to hide the symptoms at work became increasingly hard for Tim, so he contacted our MS Plus Employment Support service for help.
Our team talked to his employer, and they all worked together to allow Tim to reach his full potential. They also provided him with a wheelchair to combat his impaired balance and fatigue.
Tim's story
Our clients have also said:
- ‘Personal experience – I received training and help with my resume and obtained a job – so very happy with the service.’
- ‘I'm still working because of this service. The support and feedback have been priceless to me. I'm even thinking of moving ahead with my career now.’
- ‘The service is fantastic! Extremely helpful and has made my working life much more manageable.’
- ‘Their support and assistance are very much appreciated and because of them, I am still employed.’
- ‘Your service and employment support person has enabled me to continue working. I am very grateful for the services and support, thank you.’
- ‘I have just retired and could have not worked for the last few years without the MS Employment Service!’