Living with Sjögren’s disease can have a big impact on your day-to-day life and ability to do your usual activities, including work. Some people find that working with an autoimmune disease like Sjögren’s can make it difficult for them to do their work. While everyone with Sjögren’s experiences it differently, symptoms like fatigue (feeling very tired most or all of the time), pain, dryness, or brain fog (trouble thinking and remembering) are common and can create challenges in the workplace.
If the impact of Sjögren’s disease is causing difficulties at your job know that you have a right to ask your employer for accommodations that make it possible for you to keep working.
About Workplace Accommodations
Workplace accommodations are supports or changes that help make it easier for you to do your job with Sjögren’s.
Workplace Rights for Sjögren’s Patients
A law called the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) gives people with certain health conditions the right to request workplace accommodations and protects them from discrimination at work. Under the ADA, if Sjögren’s symptoms are making it difficult for you to work, you have the right to ask your employer for reasonable accommodations so that you can keep working.
It’s important to know that not all cases of Sjögren’s qualify you for workplace accommodations — your symptoms need to significantly limit your ability to work for you to be eligible for accommodations under the ADA.
Learn more about the ADA:
Examples of Workplace Accommodations
Workplace accommodations may include things like:
- Changes to your job responsibilities. For example, you could ask for a reduced workload or more time to complete tasks during periods when your Sjögren’s symptoms are particularly bothersome. You could also request that physically demanding tasks be reassigned, such as lifting patients (if you work in health care) or standing at a register for long periods.
- Modifications to your work environment or your schedule. Examples may include asking for a chair to sit in to help with fatigue and pain if your job normally requires standing, being able to work from home on days you’re not feeling well, or a humidifier in your workspace to help with dryness. If you have sensitivity to fluorescent light, you can ask for a different type of light in your workspace or light covers that help to block UV from fluorescent lightbulbs. And if you sit under an airduct and the blowing air causes increased dryness and pain, you can ask for a change in location.
- Special equipment to help you do your work. Pain is a common Sjögren’s symptom that can be made worse by some standard office equipment — you can ask for ergonomic equipment to help with this (like a comfortable, adjustable chair for working at a host stand or a wrist rest to help support your hands and wrists while using a mouse and keyboard).
Determining Which Workplace Accommodations May Help You
If you’d like to ask for accommodations at work, think about how your Sjögren’s symptoms impact your ability to do your job and what might help. You can also ask your doctor for advice — they may be able to suggest accommodations based on your specific job and symptoms.
The Job Accommodation Network also has resources to help employees learn about accommodations and make a request for accommodations to their employer:
Talk With Your Employer About Workplace Accommodations
If you think accommodations will improve your ability to work with Sjögren’s, you’ll need to talk with your employer to make a request.
For many people, asking for accommodations at work can feel intimidating or difficult — you may fear that your employer won’t meet your needs, worry about how it may impact your standing at work, or feel uncomfortable talking about your health. But know that getting the right supports can make a big difference in your ability to be comfortable at work. Keep in mind that you have a right to ask for accommodations, and a supportive employer will want to help you. It’s also important to know that it’s illegal for your employer to fire you for having Sjögren’s (or any other medical condition) or asking for accommodations.
Ask Your Employer About Workplace Accommodations
These strategies can help you request workplace accommodations successfully:
- Consider the types of accommodations you want to ask for. Think about which Sjögren’s symptoms are making it difficult for you to do your job, and what might help.
- Work with your doctor to make your request. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms and your job — they may be able to recommend specific accommodations based on your situation. You can also ask them to write a letter to your employer that details how Sjögren’s is impacting your ability to work and the accommodations you’re asking for. While this isn’t strictly necessary, having a letter from your doctor can help strengthen your case for accommodations.
- Meet with your employer to make your request. Depending on your workplace, you may need to talk with your direct supervisor or with a human resources (HR) representative. Keep in mind that your initial conversation may only be the first step — your supervisor or HR representative should be able to advise you on what’s required to complete your request.
- Document your request. You’re not required to submit requests for accommodations in writing, but doing so can be a good idea so that you have a clear record of making the request. If you meet with your supervisor or HR representative to request accommodations verbally, consider sending them a written version of the request after the meeting. This can be helpful in case you have any trouble getting your request approved by your employer. And if you do experience pushback from someone at work or your employer, be sure to document that exchange and keep records of any written communication.
What If My Accommodations Request Is Denied?
Remember that you have the right to reasonable accommodations at work. But an employer can deny your request if they believe it will cause them undue hardship — like if the request would be very difficult or expensive to meet. In some cases, your employer may offer you an alternative accommodation if they think that it will meet your need.
If your employer denies your request for accommodations and you believe that the decision was unfair, you can take steps to challenge it. You can start by following your employer’s internal process for resolving conflicts or disputes, if they have one. If you’re not able to resolve the issue that way, you can file a charge against your employer with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is a federal agency that’s responsible for enforcing laws against discrimination at work.
Depending on your specific situation, you may want to talk with your doctor or a lawyer about your situation. They may be able to offer you advice on how to navigate the process of disputing your employer’s decision or filing a charge with the EEOC.
To file a charge against your employer with the EEOC, visit this page:
Other Tips for Working With Sjögren’s
Keep in mind that there are other strategies aside from requesting accommodations that you can try to help you be comfortable and productive at work when you have Sjögren’s disease. For example, you can:
- Take care to avoid eye strain. If your job involves looking at a computer screen, reading, or other highly visual tasks, you may experience eye strain (when your eyes feel tired or uncomfortable after looking at something for a long time), which may be worsened by other Sjögren’s symptoms, like dry eye. Give your eyes a break by following the 20-20-20 rule — this means that every 20 minutes, look away from your computer screen or task to something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds. You can also rest your eyes periodically by closing them for a minute or 2 before returning to your task. You can also wear moisture-chamber glasses that can help with tear evaporation and protect your eyes from strong airflow from vents and HVAC systems.
- Stay hydrated and moisturized. Dealing with dryness is a big part of living with Sjögren’s disease. Try keeping a water bottle with you at work and taking small drinks often throughout the day to keep hydrated and help with dry mouth. You can also protect your skin from dry air by applying a moisturizing cream or lotion or using a humidifier.
- Protect yourself from the sun. Many people with Sjögren’s are sensitive to the sun. If your job involves being outdoors, be sure to protect your skin from sunlight by applying sunscreen, wearing long sleeves and pants (consider clothing made of sun-protective fabrics), and wearing a wide-brim hat. Protect your eyes with sunglasses and consider moisture-chamber sunglasses for windy days.
- Use tools and techniques to overcome brain fog. Brain fog can be very frustrating and can make completing your work challenging. If you have trouble remembering, try writing down important information so you can refer to it later and using tools like checklists or reminders to help you make sure to complete important tasks on time. If you have trouble thinking or concentrating, it might help to try to do your most mentally demanding tasks when your mind feels the clearest. Be sure to take breaks throughout the day, too.
- Prioritize healthy habits. As much as you can, try to stick to healthy habits — like getting enough sleep, being physically active, and eating healthy foods. These can help you feel better overall — not just at work.
- Consider changing jobs. Getting a different job isn’t easy — and it’s not possible for everyone. But if you’re having a lot of trouble working — especially if your job is very physically or mentally demanding — it might be a good idea to consider if there are other types of work you could do that would make it easier for you to manage with Sjögren’s.
Working with Sjögren’s disease isn’t easy. But keep in mind that many people with Sjögren’s are able to keep working, and there are strategies that can help you balance Sjögren’s disease and your job.
Taking Time Off with FMLA
Another option for people with Sjögren’s is the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) — it allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave each year for serious health conditions. During FMLA leave, your job is safe, and your health insurance coverage continues under the same terms as if you were still working.
FMLA can give Sjögren’s patients the flexibility to manage or recover from flares without the fear of losing their job or benefits. If you request a leave of absence under FMLA, your employer will likely ask you to provide proof of the severity of your condition — usually with a letter from your doctor.
Learn more about FMLA:
Find Out if You’re Eligible for SSDI Benefits
If having Sjögren’s disease is making it impossible for you to keep working, you may be able to apply for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits to help cover your costs of living. SSDI is a federal program that supports people who can’t work because of a disability, including certain types of medical conditions.
Is Sjögren’s Disease Considered a Disability?
Sjögren’s may be considered a disability by the Social Security Administration (SSA) when it affects your ability to do job-related tasks, like walking, lifting, or concentrating.
How Can I Get Disability Benefits for Sjögren’s?
Here are some things to keep in mind if you’re thinking of applying for SSDI benefits:
- The application process is long. Most people who apply for SSDI benefits are denied at first and need to go through an appeals process to get approved. Be ready for setbacks and delays along the way.
- You’ll need documentation. The SSA will consider medical evidence like test results, doctor’s notes, and records of your symptoms over time. You’ll also need to explain how Sjögren’s limits your ability to function at work. Having this information well documented can make your case stronger.
- Your symptoms must be persistent. SSDI benefits are for people whose condition is expected to last at least 12 months.
Navigating the process of applying for SSDI benefits can be challenging. If you’re able to, getting support from a disability lawyer or a patient advocate can improve your chances of getting approved.
Learn more about SSDI and how to apply for benefits: