Should you disclose you IBD to your employer or boss?
Yes, always be open to it (be upfront) - 36.4% - 4 votes
Yes, only if I am caught/asked - 36.4% - 4 votes
Yes, only to my co-workers - 0.0% - 0 votes
No, Never - 9.1% - 1 votes
If caught, leave the job & be self-employed - 0.0% - 0 votes
Work from home - 18.2% - 2 votes
Posted 6/2/2011 8:32 PM (GMT 0)
Having
a chronic illness such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) known as Ulcerative
Colitis or Crohn’s disease challenges all aspects of your life, including the
workplace.
Should you disclose you Condition?
There is no
obligation for people with IBD to disclose their
condition during the recruitment or sele
ction process
unless they are asked directly about any known condition that might impact on
their job performance. Medical conditions are personal, and even if you are
required to bring proof of a valid reason for absences from work (such as a
letter from a physician), your diagnosis does not need to be disclosed. You
should not feel as though you are being deceptive or secretive; you have a right
to your privacy.
A person with IBD is of normal intelligence. IBD is no
way affects a person’s intellectual capacity.
However, one of the biggest
decisions is whether or not to unveil your IBD to an employer or even to a
co-worker. There are laws in place to help those who have medical conditions
from being discriminated against in the workplace, but these laws do not help
when it comes to maintaining a good personal reputation, or in governing the
attitudes of an employer or coworkers. Moreover being open may include fear of
discrimination, possible job loss, desire for personal privacy, or even
embarrassment.
One might think that the workplace may be an opportunity to
expand awareness and educate coworkers about IBD. But do you think it may be a
tricky place to navigate? What are your thoughts or experiences?
IBD patients want empathy, not sympathy! 
Posted 6/2/2011 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I got mix bag when I told my bosses.
My first boss blabbed it to others and even told my co-worker I may not be working there much longer! ...and her husband has Crohn's!!! "Oh there's treatment for that"...like it's no big deal!
My second boss is more understanding as she has a daughter with depression, another chronic illness.
Sometimes it hard to keep a secret especially due to drug side effects. I'm getting ready to start pred for my firs time. Can't hide weight gain, mood swings, and moon face! We'll just gona have to see how things work out and how people will react.
songlady
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2009
Posts : 3840
Posted 6/3/2011 1:23 AM (GMT 0)
My answer for the poll would be "No, unless I had a history and good relationship with the boss."
I have not told my current boss (she started at my workplace a year ago.) I have told her about
my son and we've discussed him some.... and her son is a GI! lol But I always like to prove myself to a boss before I tell them, so that they already have an image of me in their mind.
and then I only tell them if the UC disrupts my work or if we've become good friends. ( me and the boss, not me and the UC....
)
Posted 6/3/2011 2:55 AM (GMT 0)
I work from home but when I've had jobs in the past, I've never mentioned any health issues. I think it is too personal to share with a boss or employer. I know sometimes circumstances force you to tell (hospital, bathroom trips, taking time off) but if I can avoid those issues, I wouldn't tell. I did tell my last manager, we were more like friends and I told her I had some "GI issues" and she confided that she had proctitis, it made me feel so much more comfortable knowing she understood what I was going through. After she told me, of course I opened up. I didn't say UC in the first place because I figured she wouldn't know what it was and I would have to explain plus, I try to keep things vague with co-workers.
tlhall
Regular Member
Joined : Dec 2010
Posts : 138
Posted 6/3/2011 1:18 PM (GMT 0)
I decided to tell my boss and the people I work with so they wouldn't think I was a slacker for missing days of work. I'm in remission, but there are days (2 or 3 times a month) when I just don't have the energy to make it in to work or if I do make it in, I'm not very productive. I wanted them to know that I care about my job and am committed to doing the best I can.
I must admit, I work for a very understanding company and I've know my boss for 8 years and until I got UC, didn't miss much work.
Posted 6/3/2011 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes you can know someone for a logn time but if they don't have any personal expereince with chronic conditions it can lead to complications.
There's no way in telling how someone will react to your illness. I've had good friends who still through you under a bus when there's competition involved. It's just human nature. Some people will try to comprehend but it takes time.
Sometimes you got to turn the other cheek when they say profound things such as "My college roommate's huband had UC. He lost his colon becuase he like to eat his corn chips and richs food" or "My friend's spouse got Crohn's. She devorced him because he wasn't fun anymore or "I'm glad I'm not you". These comment came all from family members...you think out of al the people you know they would understnad you the best....apparently not!
Luckally my husband has come around. He's started to be very supportive. Instead of "just I going on Pred"...it's more like "we are going on Pred!" Now that's a relationship to kindel! I so lucky to have him!
w0lfie
New Member
Joined : Jun 2011
Posts : 5
Posted 6/3/2011 3:49 PM (GMT 0)
I'm not sure I like the tone of this poll. "Caught"? Really? It's not like you're stealing office supplies. I talked with my boss about it, but we have a good relationship. He and I discuss medical problems all the time. Besides, he was worried I had cancer or something. I was in the bathroom all the time, and very lethargic.
I would hate to work somewhere that saw having a medical condition as something they can "catch" you having. I had one employee who seriously thought we were going to run him off if he got sick. Never really understood where that fear came from.
@P&H: In the US, at least, bosses aren't allowed to threaten to fire you just because you have a medical condition. You should talk to your HR rep so your boss can get proper training. As long as you can perform your work function with reasonable accommodations, they cannot punish you.
I guess I'm lucky to have such a supportive boss.
Posted 6/3/2011 11:32 PM (GMT 0)
No she wasn't threatening to fire me. She figured I'll be too sick to work and go on disability! No longer matter as I switch jobs internally and got a better boss who more sensitive to my situation...THANK GOD!