Professor Margaret H Vickers, from the UWS School of Management, said the pilot study, which explored the life and work of people with MS, revealed some left the workforce for reasons other than their disease.

The study found significant employment problems for workers with MS that were not related to their disease or level of disability,'' Professor Vickers said.

``People in the pilot study reported being ostracised, bullied and harassed and pushed out of employment following their diagnosis, rather than as a result of any direct impact of the disease on their capacity to work.''

More than 16,000 Australians have been diagnosed with MS, many of prime working age.

In the current project, Professor Vickers will conduct confidential, in-depth interviews with people who have MS and have worked at all since their diagnosis.

``The expanded study will explore these negative experiences in greater detail as well as identify positive workplace experiences and seek to understand why they are positive,'' Professor Vickers said.

``Just 53per cent of Australians of working age with a disability are employed, compared with 86per cent for able bodied individuals,'' Professor Vickers said.

``Any research which can support people with disabilities remaining in the work force for longer is a national priority with positive results for both individuals and the community.''

To participate in the study contact: m.vickers@uws.edu.au or phone 96859661.