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Should I tell my employer?
Hello Everyone,
I got infected with Hep C in 1984 when I had some blood transfusions. I didn't know I even had it until about 12 years ago. Just recently I went in for a Biopsy, I have type 2b, Stage 2, Grade 2. I have not started treatment yet, but I'm sure I will. I'm worried that the treatment is going to make me really sick. I'm currently working full time and have gone back to school full time. My question is should I tell my employer what's going on. I already told him that I had to go in for a Biopsy so I could get the day off. But I'm not sure what else I should tell him. I only have about 8 more months before I'm done with school so I'm also worried I won't be able to finish.
I got infected with Hep C in 1984 when I had some blood transfusions. I didn't know I even had it until about 12 years ago. Just recently I went in for a Biopsy, I have type 2b, Stage 2, Grade 2. I have not started treatment yet, but I'm sure I will. I'm worried that the treatment is going to make me really sick. I'm currently working full time and have gone back to school full time. My question is should I tell my employer what's going on. I already told him that I had to go in for a Biopsy so I could get the day off. But I'm not sure what else I should tell him. I only have about 8 more months before I'm done with school so I'm also worried I won't be able to finish.
It is a difficult decision, and one that is worth reading up on. As glucklich points out, the ADA laws do protect us. In my case, my company is large enough and a generally supportive, caring corporate culture that I decided to tell - somewhat. I did tell the HR Director exactly what was what, knowing full well that there are confidentiality requirements there.
Then I told my boss and the CEO that I was going to undergo "chemo" for an extended period, and that it was a chronic and not immediately life threatening condition, but I did not elaborate and they did not pry. Even though I trust them on a personal level, I did not want to discuss the specifics in the work environment, except as strictly necessary. If they they have surmised the illness, I haven't seen anything but positive and genuine concern. They have been extremely supportive every step, and without their outreach and support, my workload and stress would be much more difficult to manage.
As time has gone on, I have also told some of my coworkers. Mostly because they would notice that I am fatigued and am not working the usual 60 hours a week these days (when they are) and especially when we travel that I need to rest a lot. I didn't want them to just think that I was slacking off so I headed that off at the pass. They were all really surprised but I could tell that they were thinking "oh that explains things" and since then they have all been very helpful. Again, I didn't tell the nature of my illness and they didn't ask.
During this time my work group also underwent some restructuring of goals and compensation, and I was very concerned that I was being set up to fail given the health circumstances. I quietly employed a labor attorney who was awesome, and who confidentially helped me with the negotiation. My employer never knew that I had someone helping me behind the scenes, but it was invaluable. As part of this process, it was he who informed me about all the ADA laws that absolutely apply to us. As it turned out, it all went smoothly and I did not have any problem. I did, however, document everything as he recommended so that if in the future something unfair occurs, I am prepared.
I do recommend that if anyone has a basic comfort level and mutual trust with their employer that they inform them about tx. It was a great relief to me to know that I could enlist their help and understanding during the rough times, and they have really stepped up for me. But then again, that is why I have worked for this company for so long - I knew it was a decent place. Previous crappy employers would have been a different situation entirely! Smaller companies may also not react the same as larger employers (although my company is only a couple of hundred people). Not sure if the ADA laws are the same regardless of size (probably not) so that is worth checking.
If you feel uncomfortable about it but feel that you need to tell (or you really have sx that require it), I would read up on the ADA or consult with an attorney first. If you do tell, document it in writing if possible (emails or your own personal journal) with any responses from management that you get. Those could be crucial as in deb's case where she was later let go. I can tell you that my HR Dir was completely aware of their liability once I told them. I could sense the caution and consideration of legal ramifications on their side, and that was certainly to my benefit.
Funny how there are millions upon millions of us going through this but we are afraid to let others know. Would we feel this way if we had cancer instead? No, and that's a drag.
Good luck getting all your ducks in a row first, and then with your successful tx after that!
Robin
Then I told my boss and the CEO that I was going to undergo "chemo" for an extended period, and that it was a chronic and not immediately life threatening condition, but I did not elaborate and they did not pry. Even though I trust them on a personal level, I did not want to discuss the specifics in the work environment, except as strictly necessary. If they they have surmised the illness, I haven't seen anything but positive and genuine concern. They have been extremely supportive every step, and without their outreach and support, my workload and stress would be much more difficult to manage.
As time has gone on, I have also told some of my coworkers. Mostly because they would notice that I am fatigued and am not working the usual 60 hours a week these days (when they are) and especially when we travel that I need to rest a lot. I didn't want them to just think that I was slacking off so I headed that off at the pass. They were all really surprised but I could tell that they were thinking "oh that explains things" and since then they have all been very helpful. Again, I didn't tell the nature of my illness and they didn't ask.
During this time my work group also underwent some restructuring of goals and compensation, and I was very concerned that I was being set up to fail given the health circumstances. I quietly employed a labor attorney who was awesome, and who confidentially helped me with the negotiation. My employer never knew that I had someone helping me behind the scenes, but it was invaluable. As part of this process, it was he who informed me about all the ADA laws that absolutely apply to us. As it turned out, it all went smoothly and I did not have any problem. I did, however, document everything as he recommended so that if in the future something unfair occurs, I am prepared.
I do recommend that if anyone has a basic comfort level and mutual trust with their employer that they inform them about tx. It was a great relief to me to know that I could enlist their help and understanding during the rough times, and they have really stepped up for me. But then again, that is why I have worked for this company for so long - I knew it was a decent place. Previous crappy employers would have been a different situation entirely! Smaller companies may also not react the same as larger employers (although my company is only a couple of hundred people). Not sure if the ADA laws are the same regardless of size (probably not) so that is worth checking.
If you feel uncomfortable about it but feel that you need to tell (or you really have sx that require it), I would read up on the ADA or consult with an attorney first. If you do tell, document it in writing if possible (emails or your own personal journal) with any responses from management that you get. Those could be crucial as in deb's case where she was later let go. I can tell you that my HR Dir was completely aware of their liability once I told them. I could sense the caution and consideration of legal ramifications on their side, and that was certainly to my benefit.
Funny how there are millions upon millions of us going through this but we are afraid to let others know. Would we feel this way if we had cancer instead? No, and that's a drag.
Good luck getting all your ducks in a row first, and then with your successful tx after that!
Robin
It is absolutely none of their business plus you might do just fine on treatment. Lots of people have very few side effects. Not everybody gets so sick they can't work, FMLA, disability.
I haven't told them a thing, week 6 treatment and go to work every day and keep my mouth shut.
NO.
I haven't told them a thing, week 6 treatment and go to work every day and keep my mouth shut.
NO.
I was very open at work and it may have hurt me. It was my thought that if i had a medical problem at work, and at that time, fainting was a possibility and did in fact occur once, if someone at work was exposed to my blood, then they needed to know.
i was fired around week 16 from my job, because of "performance" but all indicators tell me that it was because i was ill and with Hep C.
So that's the caveat.
i was fired around week 16 from my job, because of "performance" but all indicators tell me that it was because i was ill and with Hep C.
So that's the caveat.
Personally, I think you made some very good choices for your particular situation...If need be, rock the boat if it needs rock'in...but don't rock it needlessly...Remember, you do need to inform all medical people, dentist, etc. or anyone who might have exposure to your blood (if you cut yourself or something) good luck, and keep us posted with your progress...;^)pro
People are uninformed about a lot of things. Most of what people think they know, including myself, about various subjects, is wrong. Particularly when we have a news media that is not helping at ALL.
How many times have you been watching TV or listening to the radio and someone says something that you know, for a fact, is absolutely wrong. There is a talk show host here in SA that I listen to on occassion and I can't recall what the subject was, but damn near everything out of his mouth, was factually incorrect. You can damn near pick a topic...foreign policy, immigration, crime and in particular sexual abuse, and what most people think are 'fact' are completely WRONG. I always chuckle when people are so uptight about their kids being abducted. Stranger abuction is very very rare. The most dangerous person to your child, statstically, is you or a friend, another older child or a family member, yet the media creates this big 'fear' about 'strangers'. A few years ago in Colorado a child was lost while his parents were out camping and when they tried to find him but he hid from the very people trying to find him because his parents had instilled in him that strangers were out to get him. They did eventually find him and that is what he said, that he hid from the searchers. My ex was absolutely paranoid about stranger abduction with our kids and I would let 'em roam around all they wanted. I always told her if anyone ever abducted our daughter, ( she was quite the pill when she was a kid ) they'd bring her back pronto with a sympathy card attached. Now, about immigration....
How many times have you been watching TV or listening to the radio and someone says something that you know, for a fact, is absolutely wrong. There is a talk show host here in SA that I listen to on occassion and I can't recall what the subject was, but damn near everything out of his mouth, was factually incorrect. You can damn near pick a topic...foreign policy, immigration, crime and in particular sexual abuse, and what most people think are 'fact' are completely WRONG. I always chuckle when people are so uptight about their kids being abducted. Stranger abuction is very very rare. The most dangerous person to your child, statstically, is you or a friend, another older child or a family member, yet the media creates this big 'fear' about 'strangers'. A few years ago in Colorado a child was lost while his parents were out camping and when they tried to find him but he hid from the very people trying to find him because his parents had instilled in him that strangers were out to get him. They did eventually find him and that is what he said, that he hid from the searchers. My ex was absolutely paranoid about stranger abduction with our kids and I would let 'em roam around all they wanted. I always told her if anyone ever abducted our daughter, ( she was quite the pill when she was a kid ) they'd bring her back pronto with a sympathy card attached. Now, about immigration....
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