Telling my boss about CF....

[jenhum]

I started working about a month ago. I work part-time, 5 hours a day . I don't get any benefits or paid time off since I am not full time, but I'm really just doing it to bring a little extra money into our household (while trying not to wear myself out).

I have a doctors appointment in two weeks and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to do IV's for a couple of weeks (I always do home IV's). I want to approach my boss and talk to her about this sometime next week, but I'm not sure what to say. She does not know I have cf. I want to tell her b/c I know if I'm doing IV's I might have to take a couple days off for bloodwork/seeing the doctor/etc.

Any pointers? She is really sweet but I am really nervous and unsure of what to say. I work in a very busy office and I'm already worried about the strain this might put on coworkers. I do want her to know what's going on though, so I don't have to just randomly call in sick several times in a 2 week period.

Thanks for your help. I feel a little silly for stressing about this, but I have always had trouble telling people about my cf. I don't mind people knowing...and I don't mind answering questions about it...but I have trouble with the initial explanation.

 

[thelizardqueen]

I usually tell my bosses about my CF and appts and such as soon as I get a job. I've never had an employer act negativly towards me or my CF, unless I'm always missing work. All I can say is just be direct and honest about it. Tell her that maybe you're willing to work around the doctors appts so that you only miss a couple of hours of work maybe?

 

[JennifersHope]

I am going to be facing this for the first time myself in the next few months. I am so torn as to what to do and say. I am pretty sure it is going to suck either way.. if I tell or don't tell.

I know by law we don't have to tell, I have a feeling my new boss will find out one way or another. As it stands right now, a nurse that I work with currently just applied for the same job that I did this week. She is going on an interveiw next week.

I am nervous about it because I am not contracted with the current hospital yet, just verbal. I trust this women, she does have 15 years more experience then me, I am hoping she doesn't bump me out of the job.. (me and my big mouth about my new job) I know if she wants the job bad enough, she may tell her about my CF...I hope not.. but it is scarry.

I would also like to hear what others have done, because I know I am going to have to give an explanation for my days out.

Jennifer

 

[anonymous]

Assuming you are working for a good sized company (over 50),
you talk to HR and not your boss directly.
If you need more time that most for illness then you take intermittent FMLA leave to do it.

 

[Landy]

When I told my last boss about it (also when I was going to have to go on IV's), I pretty much explained everything & he was really OK with it. I just was up front about how much work (if any) I would be missing, etc.
To lighten up the whole situation he jokingly said "Aren't you supposed to be dead or somthing at your age?" I suppose that doesn't sound funny to some of you, you just have to know his personality/sense of humor.
Good luck.

 

[Ricky]

You should be honest and tell your boss about your situation. If she's as sweet as you say she is should have no problem giving you the time off. Before I had to quit work because of my health I was a District manager for the company I worked for. I had to deal with this all the time. The only thing I would ask for is a doctors note explaining why you need the time off. And don't forget your protected by the "Americans With Disabilities Act" so they can't fire you as long as what you tell them is lagit.

 

[HairGirl]

I've had a hard time telling my bosses, I usually wait a few weeks or so because I want them to see that I can handle the job and stuff, I am usually on continous IV's when I'm doing meds two actually so I have to carry them around with me and if they didn't know by then that I had CF they sure knew now!!!!!!! Also it helps to know that they can't 'not hire you' or 'fire you' because of your health. That would be discrimination.

 

[anonymous]

I am up front with it from the interview. I tell employers that I have a chronic medical condition and that my health comes before anything else. My CF rarely effects my ability to perform my job. I wprk hard and earn the respect of my bosses and co workers. As a result when I do need time off for medical reasons I get it, no argument. Most of the time they request a doctors note but that is more because of company policy than anything else.

 

[anonymous]

I find that people are really pretty understanding, especially at larger companies. I usually try to make an impact before communicating, because I like people to have an impression of me before they learn of my CF. I think if communicating your illness is one of the first things you do than that sticks with people as a first impression of you and subconsciously they may think you are looking for sympathy or special treatment when all we are looking for is understanding and some flexibility.

 

[Debi]

I've dealt with this a loooong time, and I have always been very up front about having CF. Most people are so blown away that you're still alive that they are filled with admiration and become very accommodating, especially if you're a good employee. Can't guarantee it, but that's been my experience. When I do IVs at home, I not try to get the type that you can carry around. Otherwise, I try to get on a schedule that allows me to do the IV in the early AM and again at night. That way, I can go into work a little later and not have to take so much time off. I also recommend seeing if you can do any of the work at home. I am fortunate in that I can telecommute, and during those times when I am not feeling strong enough to physically make it into the office, I make arrangements to work at home. I am able to connect directly into my computer at work through my computer at home.

Of course, sometimes you are just too sick to work at all, and then it's best to take the time off because you, not your work, must be the number one priority. Most employers would rather accommodate you, because it's more costly to recruit and train a new employee than it is to keep a good one. Your HR department may be able to help come up with some creative solutons that work for both you and your boss.

 

[anonymous]

This is sort of off topic, but not really. Do any of you tell a future employer you have CF before they hire you? My hubby is looking for a new job and I was wondering if telling them our child has CF could cause them not to hire him. I think there are laws against that. But if someone of equal abilities as him is also in the running wouldn't it save them money ( company insurance wise) if they hire the other guy? Anyway my hubby has been having trouble getting a new job and during the interview he has been telling future employees about our childs health...could this be keeping them from hiring him?

 

[anonymous]

absolutely he shouldn't be telling them about the child at home with CF. Not only may they feel it is a liability to their insurance plan... which it is. They may may be worried that he's going to miss a lot of work.

Take it one thing at a time. No one likes TMI. too much information. Remember the interview is about him and showing he is qualified for the job. Once he has an offer he can pretend (if he doesn't actually have any) he has other offers and explain he is weighing all the odds and wanted to learn more about the benefits offered by company X.

Like someone else said earlier - everyone needs medical insurance so it's a normal concern... but then again if you're qualifying them before they've even taken a grand interest in you then you might be killing the love so to speak...

This goes for romantic relationships as well. Call it unfair - sure maybe - but you are intitled to a fair chance at things just as much as the guy with athlete's foot. You don't see him saying at the interview I just want you to know I have itchy feet.

LouLou 27 w/CF

 

[luke]

Hey Jenny,

I think the best way to break the news is in a casual converation where you tell her that you may need off and why. I would be clear that you may not even need to be off but you just want to be sure that she was aware just in case. It is all in the presentation, make sure you show her "how much" you care about your job but you may have to take a couple days to take care for yourself.

luke

 

[Grendel]

If you are not able to manage, or more specifically conceal your CF, than you should tell your future employer. If you think that waiting to tell him/her, to show you can do the work, is a good idea it likely is not. Your references from your previous employer will cover this base, as to whether if your CF affected your work capacities. If you don't tell him, and your job could be affected by your CF, despite the Disabilities Act, they could have a legitimate reason why you are not a good match for your duties. Besides, you always know where you stand when you can offer up the truth. It feels rough to have to hide your CF.

Myself, I work with an old friend, so he knows my limits, and gives me room to manage my CF. I cannot conceal my CF these days, but I am not too intrusive with my coughing, etc. But I try my best. I wake up at 4:30 AM-5:00 AM to do my treatments and clear my lungs so I can get into work by 8-9 AM and end the work day between 5-6 PM. This means I have to be in bed by 8:30-9 PM.

Best of luck,
Grendel

 

[anonymous]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.aapd-dc.org/NOW/presentWorkplace.html">http://www.aapd-dc.org/NOW/presentWorkplace.html</a>