Too often misrepresented as a ‘granny disease’, arthritis in its 200 forms actually affects nine million people in the UK. It is this country’s leading cause of physical disability and, with other musculoskeletal disorders, it is the second most common reason for days off work.

So, in today’s credit-crunch Britain, it makes sense that the theme of World Arthritis Day 2009 is ‘Let’s Work Together’ to keep people with arthritis in their jobs.

There is plenty of help available – from government schemes like Access to Work, to legal protection under the Disability Discrimination Act.

But employees with arthritis should ask for the support they need, not struggle on in silence.

That’s why the charity Arthritis Care is using World Arthritis Day on October 12 to launch a special ‘Work Week’ on its free Helplines.

As well as offering emotional support to those who have worries about their job, our Helplines team will send out free ‘Work Packs’ to callers and tackle their employment questions about rights, duties, benefits and the law. So call Arthritis Care’s free helpline on 0808 800 4050 between 10am and 4pm weekdays.

NEIL BETTERIDGE, Chief Executive, Arthritis Care.