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New job and military obligation

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/9/2008 12:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hey all-

This is kind of a side topic.  I hope it's okay to ask it here.  I hear all these questions about talking to employers about your disease and stuff.  Well, my husband very well could be starting a new job in a couple of weeks.  He doesn't have CD (that's me) but he is in the National Guard, so he does the 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year (oh yeah, except that part when they deploy you to the middle of the desert).  He has that "2 weeks a year" part coming up in October.  When should he tell this potential employer about the mandatory training?  If he tells during the interview it's very well possible they might not hire him (which i don't believe is legal, but they do it all the time anyways).  and if he tells afterwards it'd be like first day on the job, "by the way, i'll be gone for 2 weeks next month".  That really doesn't look good.  So, when's the best time to tell? 

Cheers

Posted 9/9/2008 1:02 AM (GMT 0)
I would tell him to ask his legal counsel through the Guard. They should have some kind of advocates that work for them or at least someone with more HR experience. They would know if that is something that they should disclose up front or not. Many places have a preference (think affirmative action) to hire veterans, particularly municipalities. But I know this war (all political opinions aside) is taking a toll on a lot of employers, such as police and fire, where they have a high number of veterans being called active, and they aren't allowed to hire to fill their position. So you are right that some may be reluctant to hire a guards-person. I would say he should wait until he gets the offer and it could go something like this:

"Dear John, we would like to offer you a job with our company, can you start September 20th?" Well, I can, but I am in the national guard and have my 2 weeks per year in early October. Would you prefer I start after those two weeks instead?"

That way he is disclosing, looks accommodating, but still has the job offer already in stone.
Posted 9/9/2008 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
I think Fitzy is right and asking JAG for the guard unit would be good idea too. Plus asking some of the folks in his unit might be a good idea.
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