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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.
A short answer...NO. Would you tell him if you had hemorrhoid's, vaginal itch or genital herpes? As soon as you tell him, he will mark you as unreliable in his mind. It ain't his business.
My opinion no. I told my employer and got laid off afterwards...Not that this will happen.
Its really no ones business but your own..when it comes to the business world.
Unfortunately sometimes we have to lie but thats ONLY my opinion from what happened to me..I am too honest of a person sometimes it can backfire.
Its really no ones business but your own..when it comes to the business world.
Unfortunately sometimes we have to lie but thats ONLY my opinion from what happened to me..I am too honest of a person sometimes it can backfire.
I'd tell your boss, but get some assurance of confidentiality between yourself and him. Otherwise you might have an awful lot of unexplained absences and even possibly a few emotional outbursts to account for. As far as school is concerned, in my opinion no way would I take on work + school + treatment simultaneously. You might be one of the lucky ones and sail through, but the odds are definitely against that. I'd postpone treatment until school was over, and then knock treatment out afterwards. My $0.02, good luck.
I only told my employer after i was on treatment. I didn't feel it was there business. I would have not told them but i lost a lot of weight and had missed some work days. Hep c treatment did effect my job performance. So told them i was on treatment for hep c. They where very understanding of my condition. I work for a good company that takes care of there employee's. But i would have never told them if it was not necessary.
I would tell them immediately. But talk to a disability lawyer and let them guide you. I would also read up on the ADA. If you are disabled, then you have rights under the law.
With your biopsy results of a 2/2, why not wait until you finish school to start treating? I'm a 2/2 and waited about 8 months to treat (best time to start, ducks in a row, etc.)
And also, once your graduate from school,do you intend to continue to work for your current employer?
And also, once your graduate from school,do you intend to continue to work for your current employer?
I'm very OPENLY ACTIVE about HCV - so yeah - for me - tell.
Get your FMLA - get your insurance in order - and be prepared to answer questions.
You should never feel ashamed or disgraced by HCV. You did NOT ask for it to infect you.
Good Luck!
Meki
Get your FMLA - get your insurance in order - and be prepared to answer questions.
You should never feel ashamed or disgraced by HCV. You did NOT ask for it to infect you.
Good Luck!
Meki
I've had a few employers over my life so the answer is, depends. Some I would, some I wouldn't. Same as the answer to, 'Will I be able to work on tx ?' Depends on what you do, what kind of employer you have. That can run the gambit. You know them better than anyone. I'll say this, it's going to show if you don't tell them. Just tell them you're on chemo but don't tell them you have hepatitis. Virus's scare people. I was surprised how people changed around me. Shocked really. Not everyone, but a lot of people. I thought they were gonna hang a leper bell on me I tell ya'.....
NO, do NOT tell your employer unless treatment gets so bad that you have to take extended time off. Even then, I wouldn't come out with the hep c word. I've heard too many horror stories.
If I were you, I would wait until I finished school to start treatment but that is just me. Best of luck to you.
If I were you, I would wait until I finished school to start treatment but that is just me. Best of luck to you.
I'm with Meki on this one. I've told most of my co-workers, my boss, all my friends, and all my family and I have received nothing but support. Perhaps I am lucky in that regard, I don't know. I have spent a lot of time educating those around me. As I see it ignorance is what brings on the negative stigma attached to this disease. Still, it's a very personal decision (telling others or not)when all is said and done. Good luck!
"As I see it ignorance is what brings on the negative stigma attached to this disease. Still, it's a very personal decision (telling others or not)when all is said and done. "
Very right on!
Meki
Very right on!
Meki
Thanks eveyone for all of your advise. I decided to wait until I'm done with school before I begin treatment. I'm hoping to get a promotion after I finish, but if not I'll stick it out at work go through treatment then once I'm feeling better move on to another place of employment. Since I'm not going to go through the treatment I'm not going to tell my employer. I also have Rhematoid Arthritis which they already know about, so if I do get sick while on the treatment I'll just tell them that they're changing my medication, they'll assume its for the RA. I was in a heated discussion once with a co-worker about Hep C. She had a cousin or somebody who had it. she tried telling me that you can pass the virus along when you prepare food. I just shook my head and said I think you need to do more research on the subject and get the facts. I almost slipped and told her that I had it, but didn't. I just can't believe how uninformed some people can be.
Ama
type 1b stage 2 grade 2
Ama
type 1b stage 2 grade 2
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....
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
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.
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.
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
I belong in the 'Don't Tell the Nature of Your Illness to Anyone' club.
In fact, I'm president!
Be an advocate for the disease when your job isn't at risk. Like Deb, I trusted an employer and had to learn the hard way...
In fact, I'm president!
Be an advocate for the disease when your job isn't at risk. Like Deb, I trusted an employer and had to learn the hard way...
I hope it's ok to post to an old thread. Thought it easier than recreating and "already" discussed subject. I'm pretty new to this arena, and pretty amaze at how I far come in just 3 weeks from over-the-top panic to "I'm puttin' on my battle dress and will soon be ready to kick some butt". Well, that's actually a lot fake bravado, but at least I've climbed back off the 5th floor ledge. To the subject at hand....
I work for a large corporation in a position I've worked very hard to get. My department is a small, close-knit group. One sweetie will even bring home-made chicken soup if you get a cold (won't be able to get much past her) and another is a kook for research (looks up everything). My supervisor is a wonderful guy, but I think I have a pretty clear visual of how uncomfortable working with someone that HAS THAT VIRUS would be. So, I've opted to not disclose the nature of the beast. Makes me sick (note to self: add to sx) that as Robin said... if it was cancer... OMG, I'd be flooded with sympathy. AND THE POINT IS: What is a passable condition or disease that won't offend the dumb public that has the possible (probable) sx of tx. I wish I could be a crusader for the cause of "Educating the mass public, or at least my office" but, alas, I'm still in the dressing room trying to find a suit of armor that fits. Thanks in advance to all ~..~ vlm
ps I have type 2b, not recv'd my VL results yet (long thread that belong on the "is my doc stupid?") so I'm hoping for 24 weeks of tx if I have to before better meds come off the assembly line.
I work for a large corporation in a position I've worked very hard to get. My department is a small, close-knit group. One sweetie will even bring home-made chicken soup if you get a cold (won't be able to get much past her) and another is a kook for research (looks up everything). My supervisor is a wonderful guy, but I think I have a pretty clear visual of how uncomfortable working with someone that HAS THAT VIRUS would be. So, I've opted to not disclose the nature of the beast. Makes me sick (note to self: add to sx) that as Robin said... if it was cancer... OMG, I'd be flooded with sympathy. AND THE POINT IS: What is a passable condition or disease that won't offend the dumb public that has the possible (probable) sx of tx. I wish I could be a crusader for the cause of "Educating the mass public, or at least my office" but, alas, I'm still in the dressing room trying to find a suit of armor that fits. Thanks in advance to all ~..~ vlm
ps I have type 2b, not recv'd my VL results yet (long thread that belong on the "is my doc stupid?") so I'm hoping for 24 weeks of tx if I have to before better meds come off the assembly line.
Neither the ADA nor the EEOC maintain a list of conditions that automatically qualify as a disability. There is plenty of reading out there that says you may, or may not, be covered under ADA! So be careful, and if you plan to use FLMA do some reading first!! These may reqiure some disclosure! Be careful who you tell cause once that's cats out you won't be getting it back! It's all nice to talk about educating people, but you can't make a dumb a$$, not a dumb a$$!!
http://lawblogs.slu.edu/healthlaw/?author=57 is just a sample!
http://lawblogs.slu.edu/healthlaw/?author=57 is just a sample!
The treatment is going to make you very sick. Probably. At least at times. I would not advise you AT ALL to tell your employer you have HCV. Make up anything else. Cancer, leukemia, warts, whatever. Just say that you are on chemo for your liver and typically people will infer all kinds of things, usually liver cancer or the like, but you can just say you prefer not to get into the details because you're "trying to stay positive."
But if you tell even one person, they will talk. It's just human nature. Now if you plan on having this disease for the rest of your life, well then fine. Maybe you can make some peace with that. But I don't. And I haven't decided if HCV is what I want everyone to think everytime they see me henceforth. So, you have to do what you are comfortable with, but that's how I handled it. I said, I am having to be on chemo for my liver. If they asked further I acted very upset, which wasn't much of an act, trust me, and just said I found it upsetting to talk about. So now I'm on prayer lists at every church in town for liver cancer I'm sure, but whatever. Only medical personnel, a couple of law enforcement investigators (due to the way I got HCV) and my immediate family knows any different.
But if you tell even one person, they will talk. It's just human nature. Now if you plan on having this disease for the rest of your life, well then fine. Maybe you can make some peace with that. But I don't. And I haven't decided if HCV is what I want everyone to think everytime they see me henceforth. So, you have to do what you are comfortable with, but that's how I handled it. I said, I am having to be on chemo for my liver. If they asked further I acted very upset, which wasn't much of an act, trust me, and just said I found it upsetting to talk about. So now I'm on prayer lists at every church in town for liver cancer I'm sure, but whatever. Only medical personnel, a couple of law enforcement investigators (due to the way I got HCV) and my immediate family knows any different.
Thanks spcecst2 & alagirl. Thanks for helping. I was feeling like I should be ashamed of acting like I'm ashamed of having this. Everyone here knows it matters not how we got here, just turn around and walk calmly as possible to the exit door as quickly as possible - thanking God that we have this forum. I guess I'm just trying to prepare as much as I can for anything that might jump up to surprise me... that must be a knee-jerk reaction to being caught so off guard 3 weeks ago with this diagnosis.
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