Hi all!

I was diagnosed with MS a bit over a year ago. I graduated from grad school this past December, and I'm deep in the job hunt...

My question is, have any of you used "diversity" to get a leg up in the hiring process? I know the Feds have hiring programs (Schedule A), but I'm hesitant to use them for fear of being "labeled" or approached with pre-conceived notions about my condition, or, even worse yet...my qualifications and professional abilities.

My neuro says to stay away from disclosure and that I'm not disabled. But, I need a job, and I'm beginning to consider these options as a way to help get a gig. Does anyone have experience (pro or con) they could share that might help me with this decision?

Thanks!

All best,

Me

AaHaA, welcome to NT. I don't have any work related answers since I am a carepartner, but I am sure others will come along with their experiences.

In terms of getting hired, my take would be that you have nothing to gain and everything to lose by disclosing your MS. Considering that managers know what our condition would do to their health plan costs, it's a good way to assure that you won't get the job. In fact, I wouldn't even consider it until you have the job and you're off probation. Even then, as long as you're high functioning, I still can't see what would be the perk of mentioning it.

It's possible if you're applying for a federal or state job, the diversity angle might help you but in all honesty, I think with most smaller and or private sector agencies, the best way to not get the job would be to mention your MS.

It never occured to me to mention my MS to an employer, but then I was in remission a good part of my young life. didn't even disclose it when it was obvious that I could no long hold a full time job.

My advise would be the same to you unless you don't think you can handle the stress of full time work....then I would take advantage of all the perks you can get.

Good Luck to You..

I think it's a very personal choice but one that should be considered very, very carefully. I do not disclose because I know that in my situation it would adversely affect the chances of me being employed. There are a lot of misconceptions associated with this disease -- I really don't think most people understand it unless/until they get it themselves or know someone with it.

IMHO, if you choose to mention it, you are acknowledging that it is an issue. So if you are capable of working and do not need any special accommodation because of your illness, why mention it?

Good luck to you on your job search!

It's not about MS but I was not even considered for an assistant head nurse job because I was pregnant. They said that they couldn't be sure I would be coming back to work after the delivery. I know I could have appealed but I figured if I was going to be part of the management team on a unit and I was only given the job because I appealed for it that I just didn't want the job.

Unfortunately even once you are hired it can become a sticky situation if you need accomodations down the line. Of course no one is going to say you weren't hired or were fired because of MS but imvho it still happens. The other thing is that as someone pointed out we aren't disabled unless we are disabled so to the best of my knowledge just having MS doesn't equal disability.

I only disclosed during my employment physical, after getting the job offer in writing because I was going on their health insurance plan. If they followed HIPAA no one other than HR and the employee health office should know. I have no plans to tell anyone else on my job unless it becomes an issue.

This really is a small world - I'm in MD, not too far outside D.C.

In my opinion, I wouldn't disclose about your MS in the interview. Especially not to try and get an advantage in the job search. More likely, your disclosure would have the opposite effect. And once it's out there, you can't take it back. A few weeks ago, I had a beer with some former co-workers; I like to keep in touch in case I ever wanted to go back to work there. Well, I let them know I have MS, and now I'm kicking myself. I wish I could take it back.

I can't add much about the physical - I've never had a job that required one. One other thing you might want to consider though: whatever health insurance you have now, try not to let it lapse (easier said than done, I know). I believe the way the laws are written, if you get on a group policy, there is no exclusionary period for pre-existing conditions, as long as you don't have a lapse in coverage. Individual policies - that's a different story.

I am NC no matter what my profile says -I forget lol

Just wanted to say I agree 100% w/ elliot. Consider his words mine.

I wish u the best