Need advice: started a new job but haven't told them.....(long time member,rare poster)

Hi all, I could really use some advice from those who know what living with this disorder is like. I have been out of work for 3 years, had a few random short term jobs along the way. I just started a new job that isn't temporary (at least I hope) working in a law office. My main duties are filing and printing, really anything to do with paper. I work four hours a day four days a week. I've only been working this job for two weeks now and they already asked if I could give more hours until they get caught up with everything. Yesterday I worked my normal four hours but I was on my feet the whole time, some kneeling and crawling o the floor too. They also have large document boxes that I need to move/lift on occasion and I really have trouble with that. I guess what I am wondering is if anybody has had experience with this how did you handle telling them and when did you do it? I am on a probationary period until next week so I am trying to figure out the best course of action. I like the job duties and I am happy to be getting out of the house and making money but I'm concerned that I'm going to push myself too far. They also have given me feed back that they like the work I'm doing and catching on quickly so I know that's a plus. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

I think IF you decide to tell them, you should do it after the probationary period. Maybe you could tell them that you could work a little extra IF...doesn't involve bending/stooping/crawling/lifting/standing/whatever condition you want to put on it.

<3, I'm a teacher, too (had to go part-time this year...working a .6 so I can get away with working only 40 hours a week!). I've had the opposite experience, actually: my immediate boss and my assistant principal know, and actually called a meeting with me in the middle of the year because they saw I was struggling and wanted to know more about what my abilities/limitations were and what they could do to support me. Next year, they're talking about giving me days off proactively rather than having me call in sick (which I've done over 30 days this year)...so we just look at the calendar and say, hey, that's two five-day weeks in a row, what day do you want to plan to have off or "work at home"? I still don't get paid for those days (maybe they can give the kids all computers and I can tele-teach from home? not likely), but now I can give them a schedule of days I can predict I may need off based on grading/planning load, etc.

For instance, our pre-service week is eight hours a day for five days, regardless of whether you're part time or full-time (40 hours in the building; probably at least half that much again outside the building). This year, I put in that 40 hour week (plus) and by Friday, I was wrung out. I rallied and managed to work the whole first student week, but I paid for it: I wound up taking a day off nearly every week the rest of that quarter, trying to recover from the initial outlay of time. They have offered to let me work at home on the one "free" day we get to actually work in our classrooms (although I'm floating next year, so no tedious classroom setup process for me! which is another reason why I'd get to stay home).

I think every workplace is different. Some workplaces actually look at it as a positive (We have a disabled person working for us! Look how inclusive we are!), while others may outright fire you (although that probably depends on whether you live in an at-will employment state, too). That said, I wouldn't say a word until you get a better sense of how they'd take it.

Don't tell, just say I'm limited in how many hours I do.

I lost my job when I informed my principal. He started looking at weaknesses and counting off against me.

ilsegrrl,
Thanks for sharing. I am glad that your supervisors seem to be trying to accommodate your needs. Do you get a sub when you are not there? Or do they just not schedule students for you on those days?
Even if I wanted to, my job could not be done part time. I run a busy library media center for 600 children and collaborate with all the teachers to plan inquiry based projects and then facilitate and teach and set up technology components to complete the projects. If I am out too much that all falls apart. I have not taken off a day due to my FM but do pay dearly at home. I know many with FM could not do what I do; I must not have "that bad" of a case, and have never had the fibro fog that so many talk about.
I do take off all summer and recharge. I use all my vacations to do that.
HEART