Information for Employers

The effects of MS vary greatly from person to person, but common symptoms that can impact on employment include fatigue, mobility issues and difficulties with memory and every-day thinking. A recent report by MS Ireland found that:

• 7 out of 10 employees say MS has limited their career potential
• Productivity losses due to MS cost Irish society €135.5 million per year

However, many people with MS continue to work for years after diagnosis and advance in their chosen careers. Many people with MS will require little or no adjustments to their working situation in order to remain in employment and where adjustments are required, there may be practical and financial assistance available from the government to support employers in implementing these. 

‘Working out MS in the Workplace: A Practical Toolkit for Employers’ can be downloaded here. This guide aims to:

• Provide employers with an understanding of some of the most common ways in which MS can impact on employment
• Provide some practical guidance for managing MS in the workplace
• Give an overview of the supports that are available from the government to help employers retain employees with MS 

Businesses that adopt policies and practices such as those outlined in this document can benefit by:

• Holding on to valuable employees
• Decreasing costs of temporary staff and preventing loss of productivity
• Reducing recruitment and training costs
• Meeting legal requirements
• Enhancing workplace diversity