It is up to you how much you share with your manager and co-workers. If you choose to talk about your disease with your co-workers or manager, it may help them understand more about the disease and how it affects you. If you are experiencing discrimination in the workplace or need help having a conversation with your manager, please contact your company’s Human Resources department.

Workplace Tips

Meet with your manager

Schedule a meeting with your supervisor to talk about how psoriatic disease may affect your work. Ask for any accommodations that may help you to be more successful and productive with your psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This may include assistive devices or ergonomic support. Explain that you may have regular medical appointments.

Communicate with your co-workers

Take the time to educate your co-workers on what psoriatic disease is and how it affects you. You may be the first person they know who has psoriasis or PsA. Remind them that the disease is not contagious and there is no need to worry about “catching” it.

Create a healthy work environment

Arrange your area to limit the amount of lifting, reaching, carrying, holding or walking. Vary activities to avoid sitting in one position or repeating an action for too long.

Listen to your body

You may be tempted to "work through the pain" of psoriasis and PsA, but overdoing it can trigger exhaustion and potentially worsen symptoms. Instead, set priorities and pace yourself. List your tasks in order of importance and do the most important ones when you feel strongest and most energetic.

If you supervise someone who has psoriasis or PsA and who is open about talking about it, here are some conversation tips:

Gently bring up the subject if it relates to the person's job

If a person’s disease is affecting their job performance, talk about possible accommodations or solutions to improve productivity.

Understand that they may try to overcompensate

People with psoriatic disease may overdo it at times because they may worry about how their disease is perceived. This can trigger a cycle of exhaustion. Let them know that the work is the main thing, and that if mutually agreed-upon goals are met, there is no need to overcompensate.

Work out a schedule when the person has appointments

Some people with psoriatic disease may need to see their health care provider weekly. Offer to support them with a flexible schedule or telecommuting arrangement.

Understand that psoriatic disease does not define a person

Someone's performance is the key factor — not the disease. Everyone has off days, and people with psoriatic disease are no exception.