{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,1,23]],"date-time":"2026-01-23T20:11:05Z","timestamp":1769199065243,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":41,"publisher":"AOSIS","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,17]],"date-time":"2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1758067200000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,17]],"date-time":"2025-09-17T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1758067200000},"content-version":"unspecified","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Afr. j. disabil."],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background:\u00a0Workplace inclusion for employees with chronic conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) remains a challenge because of the episodic and invisible nature of symptoms, leading to stigma, disclosure dilemmas and inadequate accommodations. Traditional approaches to disability inclusion often fail to address the lived realities of employees with MS, necessitating a deeper exploration of how individuals and organisations construct meaning around disability and inclusion.Objectives:\u00a0This study explores how employees with MS experience workplace inclusion, self-management and disclosure drawing on sensemaking theory and the Social Model of Disability. The study also employs a reflexive approach, centring the voices of employees to generate actionable insights for employers and disability advocates.Method:\u00a0An exploratory qualitative research design was adopted involving semi-structured interviews with 13 employees diagnosed with MS in South Africa. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns related to workplace adaptability, disclosure and support structures. Researcher reflexivity was incorporated to acknowledge positionality and enhance the study\u2019s depth.Results:\u00a0Workplace adaptability, including flexible work arrangements and empathetic leadership, play a critical role in ensuring inclusion for individuals with MS in the work environment. However, disclosure remains a complex decision influenced by stigma and workplace culture. Psychological safety and proactive organisational sensemaking significantly impact employees\u2019 experiences.Conclusion:\u00a0For meaningful workplace inclusion, organisations must move beyond compliance-driven policies and foster an environment where employees with MS feel valued and supported.Contribution:\u00a0By integrating reflexivity, sensemaking theory and the Social Model of Disability, this study offers valuable contributions to the discourse on disability inclusion.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.4102\/ajod.v14i0.1725","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,16]],"date-time":"2025-09-16T13:18:25Z","timestamp":1758028705000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":1,"title":["Workplace narratives of South African employees with multiple sclerosis"],"prefix":"10.4102","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6074-7232","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Armand","family":"Bam","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-1115-0447","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marco","family":"Bekker","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6129-6595","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Linda","family":"Ronnie","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"2580","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,9,17]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref0","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alvesson, M. & Jonsson, A., 2022, \u2018Organizational dischronization: On meaning and meaninglessness, sensemaking and nonsensemaking\u2019, Journal of Management Studies 59(3), 724\u2013754. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/joms.12790","DOI":"10.1111\/joms.12790"},{"key":"ref1","unstructured":"Atlas of MS, n.d., Key statistics and data collected from MSIF\u2019s Atlas of MS, viewed 17 December 2024, from www.altasofms.org [information redacted to maintain the integrity of the review process]."},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bam, A., 2025, \u2018Invisibility, stigma and workplace support: Experiences of individuals with chronic disorders\u2019, SA Journal of Human Resource Management\/SA Tydskrif vir Menslikehulpbronbestuur 23(0), a2859. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/sajhrm.v23i0.2859","DOI":"10.4102\/sajhrm.v23i0.2859"},{"key":"ref3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barnes, C., 2000, \u2018A working social model? 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