HR Adviser Robert has worked four days a week at NatWest for 14 years, showing that the right flexible working pattern makes a fulfilling career with MS not just manageable, but very possible.
Robert Oldham – “Just remember to put tall, dark and handsome in my write up somewhere…” – is married, with 3 children aged between 11 and 16.
He is an HR Advisor for NatWest, where he has worked happily for 14 years. Day-to-day he supports the bank’s UK-based employees on questions pertaining to HR policy. He helps managers and employees with questions around sickness absence, performance, conduct and workplace adjustments.
He is also the Deputy Chair of NatWest’s ‘Enable’ network, for employees with disabilities.
Robert has first-hand experience of some of this, as he has Multiple Sclerosis (MS). As such he works a 4 days/week pattern, with every Wednesday off, to help manage his energy.
He says: “Fatigue builds up, and when it hits, your energy drops like a stone. Every person with MS learns to manage avoiding fatigue as best they can, as everyone is affected to different extents.”
The impact is massive as fatigue can amplify existing symptoms and slow down cognitive functions. Robert says: “After my last relapse, I lost the full use of my left hand temporarily. I was typing one day and suddenly my hand felt like a club. I have regained some of the use of it, but not all – I cannot grip a pen for instance. So I have voice recognition software on my computer, which is great. There are some great digital ways to support employees with MS.”
Avoiding absolute exhaustion by managing energy levels is a key way for people with MS to live well with the condition. This is hard-wired into Robert’s working pattern. He explains: “Getting too tired can hasten the onset of symptoms, such as pins and needles, slurring speech and reduced speed when walking. So you have to get very good at finding patterns that help you avoid that fatigue and allow for things such as regular exercise (another key way to help manage MS).
“My working pattern is carefully figured out. I hit near exhaustion by the end of Tuesdays, and that Wednesday allows me to re-set. I can give it my all on Thursday and most of Friday again – don’t ask me for anything at the end of Friday, however!
“I try to ‘frontload’ my work, so that I deal with the most complex queries in the mornings. If I am really tired, I can use my lunch break at the end of the day to travel back early too. This way, the bank gets the most of my considerable experience and expertise, and I get to maintain an enjoyable, fulfilling job.”
Managing MS at work goes beyond working pattern. Robert continues: “Most of my physical disability is down my left side so impacts my walking. When working from the office I need to be more thoughtful about where I have to be and what I need to bring. The walk between rooms at our large offices can be quite a distance! Fortunately the team I work with are supportive, accommodating and flexible people. We have people working all kinds of patterns, for all kinds of reasons. And they really understand my condition and what can make things worse. So my managers enable me to work from home for 3 of my 4 days, which really helps.”
Published October 2026
More part-time stories:
