How much have you told your employer?

[inga]

A sick employee in a small business can cost every other employee their health insurance, because insurance companies raise premiums  for the whole company when one employee is sick....so, it is more than just lost time at work....As much as your employer may value you, they can't let their entire business go down or have other employees suffer.

A friend of mine has sarc and was an intensive care RN, nights.....guess what happened to her?  She lost her job and her insurance!  I lost my job right after I told my employer I needed IVIG, and I was not there long enough to have any legal rights.  I am an RN.  I had a perfect work record, no issues...none! I have not worked since, but fortunately, I am married and supported.  I have had progressive disease, so now, I could not work if I tried.  My friend will work til she drops....she has been hosptitalized numerous times in the last year.  I dont know how she does it, and it makes me very, very sad to see her struggle like she does.  No job, no insurance!

I know of lots of people who lose jobs due to medical issues.  If you can gut it out...try.  If not, be prepared for the worst, and maybe it will turn out all right.

A previous poster said...HR is NOT your friend...they look at the company's bottom line.

I hope things turn out OK.

[Blue Kat]

Thanks for all the input, everyone.  I agree that HR is not a friend...our HR person is awful, trying to pit employees against each other, among other things.  I've been there 20 years and I can deal with my boss, but this HR person who came along 3 years ago is a pill to put it nicely.  I only deal with her when absolutely necessary.

As for Family Medical Leave...fortunately I'm not at that point yet.  I'm just talking about the occasional need to leave work early because of the pain.  I missed a day and a half of work last month because of it and I fear there may be more days like that, where I just can't grin and bear it like I normally do.  That is my concern.  I do have coworkers who know about my diagnosis, people I've known for years and trust, but at the same time I make sure not to complain about my symptoms too much, partly because I don't want to come off as a whiner and partly because of the general situation we're discussing here. 

Again, I appreciate everyone's opinions and input on this subject and I will definitely keep it in mind. 

[Linda196]

I'm so glad that things seem drastically different in my experience.

I, too, worked as an intensive care RN, nights, for many years following a diagnosis of chronic sarcoidosis. There was not really a question of keeping my condition "under wraps" because I was hospitalized in one of my own units! Of course professionals attempt to maintain some confidentiality, but when you work with someone for a long time, then nurse them through a couple of life threatening episodes, then have them working at your side again, confidentiality is kind of a non-issue.

My management was very considerate, allowing me to self schedule, and respecting my ability to determine a work load I was capable of safely carrying, both for myself and my patient. They provided "sabbaticals" when I could teach, work in research,  or provide outpatient plasma exchange therapy rather than working critical care. My co-workers were helpful but not condescending, and very very supportive. The manager of HR in our facility offered to spearhead any type of support I felt I needed, from finding home care when I was very ill, to coordinating any fundraising I might need. He also took it upon himself to assist me (financial dummy that I am) in making sure all my insurances were up to date, appropriate, and easily accessible when I needed them.

I'm aware that not all experiences are like mine, and it saddens me how different they can be.

[amberjolie1]

What I've done is keep my employer's medical department posted as to appointments I have and diagnosis and so on (actually, it was that doctor that set up my original bloodwork that started the ball rolling).  In Canada, there is a law where medical professionals cannot disclose any information without consent from the patient, and that includes the employer medical department.  So I figure, I'm providing information to somebody, so if one day I have to use Sjogren's as an "excuse" for something I am unable to do, or if my boss tries to burn me for so many doctor's appointments, then I have a record to show it's been around for awhile.

[RobinBat]

I am running into this now, as I am working Pool postion and so could work around appts. but my blood work is due and labs only open till 4:00 and I work till 4:30....figured I'd do on sat. but they were not open.

I have to use this lab as it is one my insur. says to use.

So I am now late on bloods...guess will have to ask to leave early mon. or tues and go for blood. Hate to do this as only a 2 wk assignment. Blood was due last wed. can't wait too much longer...

Robin

[Epson]

Robin,

Can you do it at a hospital, most have lads available to 7 or 8 PM.

[eyeamdry]

A doctor's appointment is a doctor's appointment.  If it's a veteraniar's appointment, then it is NOT a doctor's appointment.  A dentist appt is a dentist appt.
If you are going in to have your hemmorhoids looked at, do you think you need to put this down?  NO, it's private. Do you think your boss writes down that he is going for his prostate/rectal exam when he goes?


People, you need to read up on some of this stuff.  I am getting tired of talking about it.  So likely is Epson.  If you want your employer to get rid of you as easily as he can, then just tell them everything you can about yourself, especially the bad, the ugly and the illness.

If you are going for a shrink's appointment, you do not have to tell them that.  A medical appointment will do.  You will have to get some grit and have a plan to follow rather than just getting scared every time someone looks at you, or says anything to you.  I have a good book and know of a website or two.  If you want to know, PM me.  It isn't for sissies.

[navydad]

http://www.advocacyforpatients.org/

[beverley]

Dear All,

When I was diagnosed my rheumatologist told me to go into school and tell everyone about my disorder so that they would know why things happened as they did, or why I couldn't do certain things, or how it might affect me in the workplace.  I had a meeting with my headteacher and teaching colleagues (I work in small school with only three teachers including me) and my headteacher then asked me to explain to the teaching assistants.  I did that and have found everyone to be really understanding and supportive.  Since I was diagnosed we have had a member of the TA team employed who has severe arthritis in her hip and a secretary who has RA has also joined us.  We all know about each other and we all look out for each other - yes it can come back to bite you, but I'm still innocent enough (my husband says gullible) to believe the best of people - and I am not often let down.

Beverley

[DragonflyC]

We all need to make the right choices for us.  No one has the single answer, no matter what experiences he/she has had.  I've had three separate situations and made three different choices--all of them were the right choices for me.  I did not make my decisions because of "honesty" (as I was accused condescendingly last time I posted about this issue), but rather because I evaluated my situations and made informed decisions. 

When my co-workers SAW me get sicker and sicker when I developed arthritis, pneumonia, and pleurisy in rapid succession at the age of 28, they were worried.  I'd been working there for years and many of the people were my good friends.  I told some more than others, but I felt I had to give some kind of answers because I worked with kind, caring people who were concerned about me.  I continued in that workplace for several more years without any backlash.

When I developed SJS and my red eyes led whispers about drug use (despite no other signs of such a thing) among my students, I simply told them, "I have a disease that affects my eyes."  It taught them a valuable lesson about not jumping to conclusions with limited evidence and about kindness.

At my new job, I don't know many people well.  I haven't told anyone anything about my illness because there has been no need.  I don't expect to share much because, while my new coworkers are nice, it's not a place where I'll have much more than a professional relationship with them.  I don't explain where I'm going if I leave early or take a personal day, because it's only my concern and, to be honest, I doubt anyone would be interested.

[wen.uk]

After reading your posts on here I realise just how lucky I am.

I work for an ophthalmic optician and have been there for 14 years, it's only a small practice and like an extended family really.  I've lost count of the amount of time I've had off sick, there's never been a problem, and always paid in full. 

My employer knows I have always been a dedicated and hard working member of staff, doing above and beyond my duties when able to, and repays this when I need it.  I had a meeting with him last year, he knows how bad I can get and is very understanding.  I've even told him that if ever it gets that my sickness is unmanageable that he will tell me and we can work out my get out strategy together.  He doesn't want me to finish, as much as I don't want to at this moment so we try to be as honest as we can with each other.  It's worked for me and I know that if it comes he wants me to leave for the sake of the business, we can do so without any animosity.
Wen x

[gsmraxe]

I work for a small division of a 15,000+ employee company.  Work doesn't mind that I have to run for radiation treatments every morning, and the 2 months I was out to recover from surgery.  If my SJS is flaring, they try to accomodate me.  It really depends on the powers that be in your office. 

The air conditioning and heat dry out my sinuses and eyes.  I now sit out in the warehouse rather than in an office...It's cold in the winter, but at least it cold in here in the summer too.