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Do you tell a prospective employer

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Posted 4/30/2013 5:36 PM (GMT 0)
just got some bad news (see my "Fudge" post). But here is a different question, I have been working on a great opportunity with a potential new employer and think I may get an offer soon. I was not going to mention anything about my PC. But now with my new news - and murky outcome - a thousand questions enter my mind - should I just retire and enjoy the last few years, should I just stay where I am and not take on the stress and challenge of a new job, should I take the new job but tell my employer of my new facts. or Just take the job, my CRPC is my business.

Thoughts?

Posted 4/30/2013 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Whether to continue working or retire is a pretty personal choice, and I've got no advice for you there. However, under no circumstances would I tell a prospective employer about my PC. In my view, you've got no moral obligation to do so and they have no legal right to ask.

Unless you've been with a company for a long time and you really trust the boss, I'd keep my mouth shut about PC. Even then, I'd think three times about it.
Posted 4/30/2013 5:42 PM (GMT 0)
Jazzman- Thanks, that is my initial reaction as well
Posted 4/30/2013 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
It depends how badly you need the job (doesn't sound like you do), how badly they want you, what type of person the prospective employer is, and what type of job it is.

If they wanted me badly and income from this job wasn't critical to my well being I'd discuss it witht hem while assuring them I'd still get job done. If I didn't trust them, and they didn't actively recruit me and I needed the job badly for income I'd keep it to myself.

My philosophy overall is that honesty always pays off and helps build better relationships.

I've hired three people with cancer. They can't work while doing chemo or when in surgery but I built that possibility into my workflow. My favorite of the three, stomach cancer, advised me of her clean scans today. Her next scan in September. She's great and I'm glad I have her. There are weeks during her chemo when she says she can't do anything and I find ways to adapt by getting others to back her up.

Curiously our biggest client came to know of my cancer and asked us if we had back ups for me. We very kindly told them to not worry about how we structure ourselves and mitigate such potential issues.
Posted 4/30/2013 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
I agree with Jazz. In my environment, that would be a deal-killer.
Posted 4/30/2013 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
If the cancer does NOT interfere with the job you do or keep you from doing the job you "don't" have to mention it.

If you'll need time off from work AND it interferes with your work - if you don't tell them up front - they can find other reasons to let you go.

Good luck.
Posted 4/30/2013 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
However, under no circumstances would I tell a prospective employer about my PC.

there isn't much "loyalty" in the workplace anymore on either side.  you may as well retire if you tell them because you will not get the job..  so hell no I wouldn't tell them.

ed

 

Posted 4/30/2013 6:22 PM (GMT 0)
it really depends on the job, your position, worth to them and your employer.

I would be concerned that not being honest and having transparent relationships with your employer would be a really significant cause of stress and future issues which are clearly not good things to bring into a period requiring cancer treatment.
Posted 4/30/2013 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
If you expect that your disease or your treatments will make you substantially unable to do the work you should tell them what you expect your physical limitations will be so they can make an informed decision. Even in that case, I wouldn't give them any details, just tell them you have an "ongoing medical condition" for which you may occasionally need to take time off for treatment.

If you expect you will be able to do the job normally and that the time you need off for treatments will not greatly exceed the paid time off that they offer to employees, then I don't think you would be required to tell them nor would it be in your best interest.
Posted 4/30/2013 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
While I generally agree with Jazz on this, I'd be very tempted by the early retirement option if it were me - you'd find me in the workshop making sawdust until I couldn't stand any more.

But that's been my career goal for the last two years - early retirement and buying a very large workshop.

Andrew
Posted 4/30/2013 8:00 PM (GMT 0)
It wouldn't take much to nudge me into early retirement if I could swing it financially, but that's just me. Some people love their jobs and can't imagine retiring.

To each his own.
Posted 4/30/2013 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Get Me Out!!!

If I could retire / disable out with insurance coverage, I'd already be retired. I'm screwed up enough to have constant troubles with my job, but not disabled enough for the long-term disability that would provide health insurance, and not anywhere near Medicare age. So I'm stuck.

And in talking to many business-owner friends, if they even sense a medical issue, the only way you'd get hired full-time at their companies would be as the last remaining person who knows how to do something they can't live without.
Posted 4/30/2013 10:32 PM (GMT 0)
A major item to consider before retirement for those younger than 65.  Cost of health insurance.  If you have been Dx'd with PC, there are going to be terrific expenses for treatment.  Maybe the old Co insurance is not so bad after all.  If you are 45 and looking for insurance, be prepared to get the shock of your life.  smhair
Posted 4/30/2013 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
i'd move back to Europe.
Posted 4/30/2013 10:59 PM (GMT 0)
Davidg,

I still have the right to do that, and it crosses my mind more often that I should admit.

 

Posted 4/30/2013 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
where would you go?
Posted 4/30/2013 11:53 PM (GMT 0)

F8 said...
However, under no circumstances would I tell a prospective employer about my PC.
there isn't much "loyalty" in the workplace anymore on either side. you may as well retire if you tell them because you will not get the job.. so hell no I wouldn't tell them.

ed

In my career job of 32 years, I hired many employees. I've seen companies "evolve" into what they are today. While their upper management will say all the right things in rank and file meetings, their "behind locked doors boardroom meetings" often take a different tone. You've "mostly" been given some great advice, but Ed didn't mince words. His thoughts are spot on right and I agree.

Wherever you are on the corporate ladder, YOU are your own best advocate. Don't think your boss's boss is going out on a limb.

While many small businesses "might" be more understanding, mega-corps are focused on the bottom line.

K
Posted 5/1/2013 2:00 AM (GMT 0)
Davidg,

Piedmont, Val d'Aosta, maybe Emilia Romagne. Have good friends in all of those. Actually beats growing old alone.

Posted 5/1/2013 4:28 AM (GMT 0)
Davidg,

Retire so you can focus all your energy and strength on recovering from your future treatments. I think most of here would have healed much sooner if we didn't have to work. I remember having to go into work three weeks after my RRP to respond to Requests for Proposal so I could keep my revenue stream flowing and keep my job.

I remember having to go into the conference room and take an hour or two nap then wake back up and keep working.

I know some would say that having a distraction is great to get away from dealing with cancer. Heck, I could have great distractions on the French Riveria, sun bathing, looking at the beautiful people, having a few cold ones and looking up my investment portfolio on the internet.

I have always been an upfront, full disclosure kind of guy. I had started a new job eight months before I was diagnosed. I meet with my boss and told him my fate in life. Because of my honesty, he told me to take all the time off I needed after surgery. If you don't need the job you have leverage on your side. If they react adversely to your diagnosis and your upcoming treatments, then the hell with them and they don't deserve you. I know I differ from most who have posted but I have always believed honesty is the best policy.'

Get your treatments and head out to somewhere tropical and beautiful to recover.

Sorry you have joined this exclusive fraternity. But i send my best wished to you and your loved ones.
Posted 5/1/2013 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
No. Never.
Posted 5/1/2013 4:44 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with jazz and Ed on this one. If you want the job and can get it, take it. the way things are now with firms, they would ditch your rear end in the blink of an eye if they had wind of your situation. be different if you were talking about a long term employer you had been with for years, then you would have an obligation. you got to look out for you in this case, no one else will for you.

good luck, those situational ethical things are never easy to figure out

david
Posted 5/1/2013 4:53 AM (GMT 0)
DITTO!!! Right answer Buddy Blank...no, never.
Posted 5/1/2013 5:04 AM (GMT 0)
I 'd keep it private. Employers and potential employers have different reactions to sharing information like this, and being open can easily backfire on you.
Posted 5/1/2013 1:09 PM (GMT 0)

Devasted1 said...
Davidg,

Retire so you can focus all your energy and strength on recovering from your future treatments. I think most of here would have healed much sooner if we didn't have to work. I remember having to go into work three weeks after my RRP to respond to Requests for Proposal so I could keep my revenue stream flowing and keep my job.

I remember having to go into the conference room and take an hour or two nap then wake back up and keep working.

I know some would say that having a distraction is great to get away from dealing with cancer. Heck, I could have great distractions on the French Riveria, sun bathing, looking at the beautiful people, having a few cold ones and looking up my investment portfolio on the internet.

I have always been an upfront, full disclosure kind of guy. I had started a new job eight months before I was diagnosed. I meet with my boss and told him my fate in life. Because of my honesty, he told me to take all the time off I needed after surgery. If you don't need the job you have leverage on your side. If they react adversely to your diagnosis and your upcoming treatments, then the hell with them and they don't deserve you. I know I differ from most who have posted but I have always believed honesty is the best policy.'

Get your treatments and head out to somewhere tropical and beautiful to recover.

Sorry you have joined this exclusive fraternity. But i send my best wished to you and your loved ones.

Honesty IS always the best policy. Keeping private information private, is not being dishonest.

Early in my career, I adopted a "need to know" personal policy, as I saw first hand the ruinations caused by sharing too much personal information.

K
Posted 5/1/2013 2:50 PM (GMT 0)
Keep it to yourself, get the job, do your best at work. Then you will be protected by the employer's policies and the legal aspects of ADA. Then if you have to be more candid about your condition due to its treatment interfering with your work, it is far more difficult and expensive for an employer to kick you out.

Currently it is an employer's job market. Don't do anything that could give a prospective employer any reason to consider some other candidate.
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