telling people at work

O

oatmeal28

New member
Hi all,

I just wanted to gain some insight on this. I was just diagnosed last Wednesday and have told my close friends and immediate family as they were aware of the pending diagnosis. I want to tell people at work (I work in a small office with about 40 people, very close quarters) just because it's not something I feel like I need to hide and I would like to make them aware. I am just trying to figure out the correct etiquette on telling them. Do I do it in a meeting? via email? I am not planning on telling the entire company, just my direct supervisor and my work friends. I am more concerned about telling my supervisors, my work friends I can tell when I feel comfortable. Also I am going to start interviewing for teaching positions, is this something I bring up on an interview? or wait until I am hired. As I know I cannot have children with CF in my classroom. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
 
O

oatmeal28

New member
Hi all,

I just wanted to gain some insight on this. I was just diagnosed last Wednesday and have told my close friends and immediate family as they were aware of the pending diagnosis. I want to tell people at work (I work in a small office with about 40 people, very close quarters) just because it's not something I feel like I need to hide and I would like to make them aware. I am just trying to figure out the correct etiquette on telling them. Do I do it in a meeting? via email? I am not planning on telling the entire company, just my direct supervisor and my work friends. I am more concerned about telling my supervisors, my work friends I can tell when I feel comfortable. Also I am going to start interviewing for teaching positions, is this something I bring up on an interview? or wait until I am hired. As I know I cannot have children with CF in my classroom. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
 
O

oatmeal28

New member
Hi all,
<br />
<br />I just wanted to gain some insight on this. I was just diagnosed last Wednesday and have told my close friends and immediate family as they were aware of the pending diagnosis. I want to tell people at work (I work in a small office with about 40 people, very close quarters) just because it's not something I feel like I need to hide and I would like to make them aware. I am just trying to figure out the correct etiquette on telling them. Do I do it in a meeting? via email? I am not planning on telling the entire company, just my direct supervisor and my work friends. I am more concerned about telling my supervisors, my work friends I can tell when I feel comfortable. Also I am going to start interviewing for teaching positions, is this something I bring up on an interview? or wait until I am hired. As I know I cannot have children with CF in my classroom. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
 
M

missT

Member
Hi Emily, I am also a NYC Cfer. So, I am sure that you will get alot of different views on this topic. I am turning 40 in a few days and was also diagnosed later (as a teen). I have been working for 25 years and I have never discussed my CF with any employer. I have even tried to keep it from the close friends I work with. I tell everyone I have allergies or COPD, or plain old lung problems. I work in an industry where everyone has to be a "superman" and the boys club will look for any opportunity to get rid of me. I know that there are laws against discrimination but I have first hand experience that you literally have to have an email from HR saying they are terminating you for your illness or else it is impossible to prove. People love to gossip and I never want to be the topic. That is just how I have handled CF at work. You are in a different position because you are a school teacher. You have responsibility to protect yourself and the possible other CFer who may be in your class. When I was diagnosed at 14 my parents did not tell the school. I was treated like every other student (keep this in mind also). I would not send an email. I might just tell my direct supervisor face to face. Also, (just my opinion) I would not bring it up during an interview. Good Luck!
 
M

missT

Member
Hi Emily, I am also a NYC Cfer. So, I am sure that you will get alot of different views on this topic. I am turning 40 in a few days and was also diagnosed later (as a teen). I have been working for 25 years and I have never discussed my CF with any employer. I have even tried to keep it from the close friends I work with. I tell everyone I have allergies or COPD, or plain old lung problems. I work in an industry where everyone has to be a "superman" and the boys club will look for any opportunity to get rid of me. I know that there are laws against discrimination but I have first hand experience that you literally have to have an email from HR saying they are terminating you for your illness or else it is impossible to prove. People love to gossip and I never want to be the topic. That is just how I have handled CF at work. You are in a different position because you are a school teacher. You have responsibility to protect yourself and the possible other CFer who may be in your class. When I was diagnosed at 14 my parents did not tell the school. I was treated like every other student (keep this in mind also). I would not send an email. I might just tell my direct supervisor face to face. Also, (just my opinion) I would not bring it up during an interview. Good Luck!
 
M

missT

Member
Hi Emily, I am also a NYC Cfer. So, I am sure that you will get alot of different views on this topic. I am turning 40 in a few days and was also diagnosed later (as a teen). I have been working for 25 years and I have never discussed my CF with any employer. I have even tried to keep it from the close friends I work with. I tell everyone I have allergies or COPD, or plain old lung problems. I work in an industry where everyone has to be a "superman" and the boys club will look for any opportunity to get rid of me. I know that there are laws against discrimination but I have first hand experience that you literally have to have an email from HR saying they are terminating you for your illness or else it is impossible to prove. People love to gossip and I never want to be the topic. That is just how I have handled CF at work. You are in a different position because you are a school teacher. You have responsibility to protect yourself and the possible other CFer who may be in your class. When I was diagnosed at 14 my parents did not tell the school. I was treated like every other student (keep this in mind also). I would not send an email. I might just tell my direct supervisor face to face. Also, (just my opinion) I would not bring it up during an interview. Good Luck!
 
O

oatmeal28

New member
Thank you! It's confusing on what to do because I am friends with many of my work colleagues on a personal level and I have worked for my boss for over 4 years. I want to raise awareness and potentially be active in the community and we all know with facebook now it's hard to keep anything really a secret when you are publicly involved, so I just didn't want people to learn something about me without hearing it directly from me. I understand what you are saying too since this disease is so complex it's hard to avoid gossip or wrong information to be circulated. The teaching thing I guess I will take that as it comes (since there is a massive hiring freeze I am not even getting interviews <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) thanks for your advice, it's all so new to me!
 
O

oatmeal28

New member
Thank you! It's confusing on what to do because I am friends with many of my work colleagues on a personal level and I have worked for my boss for over 4 years. I want to raise awareness and potentially be active in the community and we all know with facebook now it's hard to keep anything really a secret when you are publicly involved, so I just didn't want people to learn something about me without hearing it directly from me. I understand what you are saying too since this disease is so complex it's hard to avoid gossip or wrong information to be circulated. The teaching thing I guess I will take that as it comes (since there is a massive hiring freeze I am not even getting interviews <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) thanks for your advice, it's all so new to me!
 
O

oatmeal28

New member
Thank you! It's confusing on what to do because I am friends with many of my work colleagues on a personal level and I have worked for my boss for over 4 years. I want to raise awareness and potentially be active in the community and we all know with facebook now it's hard to keep anything really a secret when you are publicly involved, so I just didn't want people to learn something about me without hearing it directly from me. I understand what you are saying too since this disease is so complex it's hard to avoid gossip or wrong information to be circulated. The teaching thing I guess I will take that as it comes (since there is a massive hiring freeze I am not even getting interviews <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">) thanks for your advice, it's all so new to me!
 
J

Jeana

New member
My advice is to definitely leave it out of the interviews. Although employers are not supposed to judge on certain aspects, they may be more hesitant to hire someone with a preexisting condition on subconsciously make the decision to hire someone else.

After being hired, I have told employers on a need to know basis. My employers have always been really great about supporting me, but I only tell them what they need to know. For example, I am on a drug study for a condition that I have and will be taking sick leave once a month. Or, due to a medical condition, I will be out for x days and will be coming back to work with covered lines. If you do your job and don't let CF interfere with your quality of work (even if you have to take sick leave), most employers respect you for it and it is not a big deal. (At least in my experience)
 
J

Jeana

New member
My advice is to definitely leave it out of the interviews. Although employers are not supposed to judge on certain aspects, they may be more hesitant to hire someone with a preexisting condition on subconsciously make the decision to hire someone else.

After being hired, I have told employers on a need to know basis. My employers have always been really great about supporting me, but I only tell them what they need to know. For example, I am on a drug study for a condition that I have and will be taking sick leave once a month. Or, due to a medical condition, I will be out for x days and will be coming back to work with covered lines. If you do your job and don't let CF interfere with your quality of work (even if you have to take sick leave), most employers respect you for it and it is not a big deal. (At least in my experience)
 
J

Jeana

New member
My advice is to definitely leave it out of the interviews. Although employers are not supposed to judge on certain aspects, they may be more hesitant to hire someone with a preexisting condition on subconsciously make the decision to hire someone else.
<br />
<br />After being hired, I have told employers on a need to know basis. My employers have always been really great about supporting me, but I only tell them what they need to know. For example, I am on a drug study for a condition that I have and will be taking sick leave once a month. Or, due to a medical condition, I will be out for x days and will be coming back to work with covered lines. If you do your job and don't let CF interfere with your quality of work (even if you have to take sick leave), most employers respect you for it and it is not a big deal. (At least in my experience)
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
I would just ask to speak to your supervisor at their earliest convenience. When I started my current job I did not mention any of my health issues during the interview or even before I was hired. I waited until I started training. When I started working in my department I asked my supervisor if I could talk to him about some things that first day. I spoke with him and just told him that I wanted to make him aware, I did not intend to call out, but that with my health situation - CF post double lung transplant, diabetes and so on - there may be days where I just get sick and can not predict it.

He was very understanding and as for my general coworkers I told them as I felt comfortable. I told them generalities initially, like hey if I opt not to do something most likely there is a reason for it because of X, Y, Z issue. I also told them in the very beginning that if they were curious about something they just needed to ask and I would tell them. From there they started asking me questions as they felt comfortable.

I have been working at my current job almost 3 years and I still get random questions about things and all of my coworkers ask about every appointment I have when they come up. I have never had a problem having my health status be known by everyone I work with, but I think that is also because I have never used it as an excuse to not do something. Not saying that you are but people will take a lot from how you carry yourself now. How you do your job and whether or not you use your diagnosis as a crutch. In my experience when I have had issues with people it normally stems from them thinking that I am taking advantage of the system with my health issues.

There is no real easy way to tell them other than just ask to talk to your boss and from there if you have some down time at work and want to just make people aware of what is going on with you, so they don't take your behavior as strange then I would just say hey guys while we are slow I just want to let you know "blah." It seems very nonchalant, but if you don't want people to freak out this may be the best way to do it. You propose the issue and then move on and let them think on it. I would make sure that they know you are open to discussing it if they have questions because I am sure people will have questions.

I think that typically people are more understanding than what we give them credit for, and if we are open with people they will accept us regardless of what we bring to the table.

Best of luck to letting your coworkers know what is going on and best of luck with the new diagnosis. I know it isn't the best thing but hopefully they can set you up with a treatment plan that is right for you.

Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
I would just ask to speak to your supervisor at their earliest convenience. When I started my current job I did not mention any of my health issues during the interview or even before I was hired. I waited until I started training. When I started working in my department I asked my supervisor if I could talk to him about some things that first day. I spoke with him and just told him that I wanted to make him aware, I did not intend to call out, but that with my health situation - CF post double lung transplant, diabetes and so on - there may be days where I just get sick and can not predict it.

He was very understanding and as for my general coworkers I told them as I felt comfortable. I told them generalities initially, like hey if I opt not to do something most likely there is a reason for it because of X, Y, Z issue. I also told them in the very beginning that if they were curious about something they just needed to ask and I would tell them. From there they started asking me questions as they felt comfortable.

I have been working at my current job almost 3 years and I still get random questions about things and all of my coworkers ask about every appointment I have when they come up. I have never had a problem having my health status be known by everyone I work with, but I think that is also because I have never used it as an excuse to not do something. Not saying that you are but people will take a lot from how you carry yourself now. How you do your job and whether or not you use your diagnosis as a crutch. In my experience when I have had issues with people it normally stems from them thinking that I am taking advantage of the system with my health issues.

There is no real easy way to tell them other than just ask to talk to your boss and from there if you have some down time at work and want to just make people aware of what is going on with you, so they don't take your behavior as strange then I would just say hey guys while we are slow I just want to let you know "blah." It seems very nonchalant, but if you don't want people to freak out this may be the best way to do it. You propose the issue and then move on and let them think on it. I would make sure that they know you are open to discussing it if they have questions because I am sure people will have questions.

I think that typically people are more understanding than what we give them credit for, and if we are open with people they will accept us regardless of what we bring to the table.

Best of luck to letting your coworkers know what is going on and best of luck with the new diagnosis. I know it isn't the best thing but hopefully they can set you up with a treatment plan that is right for you.

Lindsey
 
C

coltsfan715

New member
I would just ask to speak to your supervisor at their earliest convenience. When I started my current job I did not mention any of my health issues during the interview or even before I was hired. I waited until I started training. When I started working in my department I asked my supervisor if I could talk to him about some things that first day. I spoke with him and just told him that I wanted to make him aware, I did not intend to call out, but that with my health situation - CF post double lung transplant, diabetes and so on - there may be days where I just get sick and can not predict it.
<br />
<br />He was very understanding and as for my general coworkers I told them as I felt comfortable. I told them generalities initially, like hey if I opt not to do something most likely there is a reason for it because of X, Y, Z issue. I also told them in the very beginning that if they were curious about something they just needed to ask and I would tell them. From there they started asking me questions as they felt comfortable.
<br />
<br />I have been working at my current job almost 3 years and I still get random questions about things and all of my coworkers ask about every appointment I have when they come up. I have never had a problem having my health status be known by everyone I work with, but I think that is also because I have never used it as an excuse to not do something. Not saying that you are but people will take a lot from how you carry yourself now. How you do your job and whether or not you use your diagnosis as a crutch. In my experience when I have had issues with people it normally stems from them thinking that I am taking advantage of the system with my health issues.
<br />
<br />There is no real easy way to tell them other than just ask to talk to your boss and from there if you have some down time at work and want to just make people aware of what is going on with you, so they don't take your behavior as strange then I would just say hey guys while we are slow I just want to let you know "blah." It seems very nonchalant, but if you don't want people to freak out this may be the best way to do it. You propose the issue and then move on and let them think on it. I would make sure that they know you are open to discussing it if they have questions because I am sure people will have questions.
<br />
<br />I think that typically people are more understanding than what we give them credit for, and if we are open with people they will accept us regardless of what we bring to the table.
<br />
<br />Best of luck to letting your coworkers know what is going on and best of luck with the new diagnosis. I know it isn't the best thing but hopefully they can set you up with a treatment plan that is right for you.
<br />
<br />Lindsey
 
J

Jennyvb17

New member
Telling work is usually easier than I expect when starting a new position.
I usually wait until my first Clinic appointment, then tell the boss, as it means taking a day off.
I usually get casual comments about my cough, but dont make a big deal about it until I am fairly close to a fellow employee.
Best of Luck!
 
J

Jennyvb17

New member
Telling work is usually easier than I expect when starting a new position.
I usually wait until my first Clinic appointment, then tell the boss, as it means taking a day off.
I usually get casual comments about my cough, but dont make a big deal about it until I am fairly close to a fellow employee.
Best of Luck!
 
J

Jennyvb17

New member
Telling work is usually easier than I expect when starting a new position.
<br />I usually wait until my first Clinic appointment, then tell the boss, as it means taking a day off.
<br />I usually get casual comments about my cough, but dont make a big deal about it until I am fairly close to a fellow employee.
<br />Best of Luck!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top