How Many of You are Honest with Your Employer?

[lynnmarie219]

Just wondering......how many of you here have been honest with your employer about having sjogrens and related diagnoses?

I have had previous "issues" at work with my very new boss (so much that he almost fired me for reasons that are still unclear to me)  but things have settled down pretty much at this time....BUT my evaluation is due any day now! I don't know if I should be honest about my medical issues or not. I know my "brain fog" or not being able to think fast or speak well on the spot will be brought up.

My gut feeling is no!

Any suggestions?

[irish]

lynnmarie, I vote with you "no". I think because you have a new boss and have butted heads previously I would let him set the tone for the eval. I think this will keep you busy and on your toes trying to see if you can predict where he is headed.

When I was working at my last job(5 years) I was semi ill when I started but didn't really realize how ill I was. We get used to feeling ill--donch know!!!! Anyway, I ended up having 2 major surgeries, many tooth extractions and doctors appointments plus many tests etc and some under anesthesia. It was like a soap opera. I also had my bad mucus and multiple infections. It really was a nightmare when I think back.

I was fortunate that I could set my schedule as to hours per day plus the time that I did the hours much of the time. They were very nice to me. To this day I am really indebted to them for putting up with me. The thing was I gave a lot of myself to the job and got along well with the residents, co-workers and with them. I finally just gave my 2 weeks notice and now that I look back I don't know how I did it.

The brain fog is such an elusive beast. I have had that much of my life and I always thought it was because I suffered from depression.  The good thing is that much of the time the depth of the brain fog is directly related to the amount of inflammation we are undergoing. Also, my thyroid was playing a much bigger part than I was aware of because of the undiagnosed Hashimotos. I can never remember what drugs you are on, but hopefully you are on Plaquenil or a DMARDS or prednisone to reduce the autoimmune attack on your body.

The one thing I did do was change jobs in 1998 because I was feeling that I needed something different that I could do into my old age. I was about 55 at the time. I do think that changing jobs when we think we need to is good. The stress from a job that is causing us too much stress only makes us feel worse. Good luck with the interview. Smile---he will wonder what you are up to. Hopefully, you won't need to get too in-depth with your boss at this point til you know him better. Remember being fired because of health issues is discrimination. Hopefully if there is a job with the same boss that is less stressful if needed. Irish

[eyeamdry]

I second what Irish said.  You do not owe your employer the down and dirty facts of your illness(es.)  Remember, once you've said it, it can't be taken back.  Also, just because you've told him doesn't mean you're out of the woods or out of harms way. 

I won't repeat things, but what Irish says is what I want to say.  I could also add that I didn't know how ill I was when I was still working.  Didn't know I had Sjogrens.  Good luck on your interview for performance.  If you're like me (or most women) you may get nervous and try to fill the silence with idle chatter. Try not to say too much.   Like Irish said, just smile alot.  Lucy

[genko_b]

This is all good advice. Especially on the illness issue, I would not say anything about it unless you have to respond directly to something your boss says.

Here is what the federal American with Disabilities Act says about employment and disability/medical conditions, and the definition of disability:
Businesses [of 15 employees or more] must provide reasonable accommodations to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities in all aspects of employment. Possible changes may include restructuring jobs, altering the layout of workstations, or modifying equipment. Employment aspects may include the application process, hiring, wages, benefits, and all other aspects of employment.

An individual is "disabled" if he or she meets at least any one of the following tests:
1. He or she has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of his/her major life activities;
2. He or she has a record of such an impairment; or
3. He or she is regarded as having such an impairment.

So your boss does have to be careful what he says. Bottom line, don't raise the issue yourself, but you have rights to accommodation if necessary in order to do your job. Notice it is true for mental impairment as well, meaning brain fog. If you are sure he will ask about it, you might want to rehearse ahead of time how you would respond. You might want to read more about this law as well. There is an excellent website that explains it:

http://www.jan.wvu.edu/links/adasummary.htm

Good luck to you! We will be thinking of you and sending good vibes your way.

Genko

[Seeker]

lynnmarie, DONOT mention your health issues. genko is spot on with the ADA.  Also in the US we have what is called the Privacy Act.  Basically an employer is not allowed by law pry into your Private life.  However under the ADA, if you claim protection of the act, your employer cannot inquire what the illness is, However your employer can require you to have a doctor's statement stating you have an illness or disability that falls under the act and what your limitations are.  Do you have an employee advocate at your place of business?  If so you should talk to them.  They will be able to key you in on what to expect during your evaluation review.  Also what questions to ask. 


Seeker

[eyeamdry]

Also..please realize that your HR Department is NOT on your side when things get rough.  You might think they are, but in reality if it comes down to something between you and the company........HR is going to side with the boss/company.  Been there, done that.  Lucy

[Nettie]

Lynnmarie, great advice so far. This is such a difficult issue.  Some things you might want to look into ahead of time is, do you need to provide your employer with any up front notice that you have a disability in order to expect reasonable accommodations in order to get protection from the ADA law?  This is something that I'd suggest paying a lawyer an hourly rate for some up front advice. 

If they are totally unaware of your disability, they will be evaluating you on the standards of the job.   If you are under performing they may begin taking disciplinary action. Under a worst case scenario, if they terminated you and you never told them anything, is there any chance that you've lost your rights to claim ADA?  I'm not trying to scare you, just bringing this up, because I don't know the answer to this and again, although a little costly, legal advice would help. 

As I look back when I was having difficulty with my job, I knew that I was having trouble learning new things, easily getting confused, forgetful, etc.  I however was not prepared for any negative feedback as I had always been an over achiever in the past.  That feedback opened my eyes to just how bad I was doing.  It was at that time that I realized that I had cognitive / memory issues.  I realized that I could no longer hide my limitations, nor could i perform as I had in the past.  I could no longer work the extra hours required, I could no longer travel, I couldn't even work a normal day. Basically, I was struggling in every aspect and I had undiagnosed health issues that needed immediate and aggressive treatment as I sacrificed my health trying to keep my job.  For me the time came that I simply had to put myself and my health first.  I no longer had a choice.  I went out on medical leave. 

This is a very personal decision for each and every one of us.  Only you know if you can continue working and if any accommodations can be made to allow you to continue working, if that's what you choose.  Only you know whether or not you can continue working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week on a regular basis in any capacity.  When you can no longer work normal full time hours, only you know if you are willing to seek a part time position if your employer cannot accommodate this need. 

I feel for you as performance reviews are always nerve racking to go through under a normal basis, but with a difficult Boss and health issues, it's especially difficult, so I'm wishing you the best.  Maybe it won't be as bad as you have been expecting.  No matter what it can help you prepare for when and if you need to take steps to take care of yourself.

Best Wishes, Nettie

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I think it depends where you work and who you work for. The last time I had an evaluation I did tell my line manager what was up. In fact I left her with print outs to read at her leisure.
I work in a small closely knit team and the line manager likes to arrange staff nights out fairly regularly. I wanted her to know why I tended to avoid them - not because I'm unsociable - just because by Friday night I'm knackered and can't drink anyway.

I also wanted her to know why hospital appointments tended to keep coming up and why they fell during work hours.

I also wanted to make sure I could get out of outdoor supervision whenever possible and swap with another colleague if any really physical activities were on the cards.

I'm paid by the local council and I know they won't sack me for this because they have a dept. which really tries to keep employees in work. When my knee was bad they even seriously considered providing me with a mobility scooter for one job but it never came to that as I had a successful op. They did write to my line manager and tell them I ouldn't work an 8 hour stint outside though.

Take care - Scottie 

[Katybarstool]

Hi

Like Scottie, I have been upfront with my colleagues too, mainly because they have gone through the highs and lows with me. Also, as a medical charity, they are very knowledgeable about the Disability Discrimination Act, and have done all they can to support me, for which I am very thankful.

I just hope that support will hold good if I need to go part-time at some point. I think they will do their best for me, as I have been loyal to them for over 15 years. I don't know how I would manage if I needed to move to a new job somewhere else though.

Fingers crossed.

Kathyx

[Epson]

As someone who has been involved in a protracted law suit with a former employer who's negligent and illegal activities gave me a disability, I suggest that you seek counsel.

The American's with Disability Act is not what some people think it is.  Over the years conservative judges have weakened this act.  If you work for a large corporation and they want to smoke you, they will and then try to tie you up in court for years hopping you either give up or die before your case is adjudicated.

The best advise that you have been given so far is "don't trust your HR department.  Your HR department is trained on how too get rid of people like us.  That's why you need to talk to an attorney.

[lynnmarie219]

Thanks all! I just wanted some input to see what the rest of you have done! I work in a small social service agency for people with disabilities (under 75 employees), so many people already know some (not all) of my medical issues anyhow because I have been there for going on 11 years. I also have FMLA paperwork filled out for ongoing appointments etc.

The reason I was asking is because my old boss left recently and he was aware of my medical diagnosis and I now have a new boss of less than 6 months who is not. He has had problems already with me.....which I think is more of a personality thing because I am a hard worker and I think I do my job well as all of my past evaluations have stated. Lately it has been much better working together with him than it was the first few months when he first came to our agency but I'm always on alert for now ! So I am just trying to think ahead because I know the brain fog issues will come up in the form of not being able to speak well on the spot or in certain situations!

Thanks again for all of your input! It helps to hear from you all!