WHEN if Ever Do You Tell Your Employer?
 

When if Ever should you tell your employer about your e or other medical condition? I've told employers in the past about my brain surgery to remove a tumor and for my e (which I still occasionally have a small seizure now and then tho' rare), one side effect of which is that my memory is not very good (terrible as I was told by a coworker yesterday) and my attention/focus can be scattered at times when there is too much going on around me.

When comments come up about my memory I immediately want to defend myself and explain why my memory isn't good, but after having lost a couple of jobs due to the fact that previous employers couldn't handle the fact that I'd had brain surgery (I lost all human element once I told them about my surgery and just couldn't do anything right after that. Which is funny because I went from being the best employee to one that they didn't have confidence in because of my surgery and its effects. Nice huh?) I've promised my family that I won't tell anyone about my medical condition Past or present, so this job (that's going really well) doesn't go sour (like the couple previous did), but I really feel like I'm hiding part of me.

Anyone know what I mean?
stef

Hi Stef,
Every time I've been employed I have always been open about my E., brain surgery, and how my short term memory isn't very good. By doing this my employer knows what's going on and if they give me a hard time about any of my medical problems they know they can get into a lot of legal trouble.
Just this past Feb. a new associate principal who I told all about my E. saw that I had a sz. before school started and then later on spoke up to me in front of other staff saying: " I'm going to have to keep my eye on you today." I asked her why and she said: "Because you had a sz." Then I spoke back to her yelling at her saying: " I've done everything I can do to better myself and if the teachers and students can accept my sz. and you can't there's the door get out of here." After I said those words she shut her mouth and all the teachers were backing me up she was even put on report for trying to run me down. Don't be afraid to tell others and if they don't like what's going on report them to the EFA and take my word action will take place. Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Thanks Sue.
I'm hesitant, because my memory is what really seems to be the issue for me and unfortunately it has cost me my job a couple of times (but only AFTER I've told my employer about my surgery). It seems like after I tell them about my surgery they start looking for errors that I make or might make and scrutinize every little thing that I do (even though my actions are frequently the same as someone else's, I get in trouble for them). My last employer lost all confidence in me and my ability, even went so far as to question my "ability to learn" and whether or not they wanted to invest in on going job training for me even after they had told me in my initial job interview that they would pay for more training for me no problem. I even got fired once for my memory.
I'm building a pretty good relationship with my current supervisor (even going over to her house to play cards etc) and I know they have noticed the memory. One of my other coworkers told me the other day that I have a terrible memory and I so wanted to explain myself, but I didn't dare.
Know what I mean? Even though I know they can get in big trouble it seems like they make up other reasons to cause me problems, its so easy to do in the working world when you want someone gone. I just don't want to go through that again.

Hi Stef,
I understand very well where your coming from regarding not wanting to tell your employer about your E. and problems with your memory. I had a lot of problems getting a life ins. policy once they found out I had E. but within time I found a co. that didn't increase my rates so I was able to get a policy.
I've learned over the yrs. that many people don't understand E. and are afraid of a person that has sz. and that's one reason why they try and turn a person away and give different reasons.
I feel it's time for the public to realize that people with E. are just like your every day person and that we should be treated the same way as others. That's one reason why I speak up for those that have E. and I don't let people run us down.
If I may ask what AED's are you taking? I know that some AED's can also cause memory loss and my epi told me the more sz. a person has the more it affects the hippocampus. When I had my surgery they removed all of the right hippocampus and 75% of the RTL. I found out that all the sz. I had over the yrs. made the hippocampus become hard and it shrunk it that's one reason why my memory has been so bad.
I want you to know that I'm proud of you and every other person that has a medical problem but is still willing to work. You take care and May God Bless You!

Sue

Hey,
I think alot of people with E can relate to what your going through..
I live in australia so if im not up front with my employer and dont tell them before i start working, then they find out thats reasonable grounds to fire me..
I have had numerous interviews and been rejected because of my epilespy although usually they say im not suitable for the job...
I get around it by telling them AFTER they accept me for the job then telling them BEFORE my first shift.. But I still have problems... My last employer gave me the minimum shifts they are allowed to give which was 3 hrs a week. then they tried to palm me off to another store, which was to far away for me... I ended up just giving up and quiting.. I was to tired to fight with them, I had tried soo hard, No customers complained about me even though i had to ask them to repeat things, and i dont think my co workers even noticed me doing this.. but thems the breaks aye

It's a tricky position to be in. Do you tell or not. Before, I've always been open and up front (I haven't been ashamed of my e or my surgery, it's a big part of me), but with the response I've gotten in the last few jobs I'm a lot more gunshy now. I've really gotten screwed in my last couple of jobs.
I take Topamax and an older anti depressant to control the mood swings that have been leftover from the surgery. Like Sue they took all of my hippocampus on my RTL during surgery and a little over half of the lobe itself.

I continue to work because we really need it financially, although with as much of a challenge as its been and as much of a hassle there have been times that my husband and I both wish I didn't have to bother with it anymore, but unfortunately that's not the case. I'm five years post op and am still paying for the surgery.

IF they fire you after you tell... THEY ARE VIOLATING FEDERAL LAW as well as Idaho law... I cant remember exactly but talk to your local JOB service office theyll help

speaking as an employer...be sure that you fully understand and read all company policies and handbooks. if you do not disclose medical conditions ( or medications) that may cause you, other employees, customers or clients any "injury" you can be held liable.

we have never had any issues where an employee didn't disclose a medical condition or medication they were on. might be how we approch it. in our case they are dealing with motorized and very heavy equipment. it's also for thier protection.

it has never stopped us from hiring anyone. it has been better to know how exactly to help the person if a crisis occurs. and we have had those and were blessed to know what meds the employee was on. when she did have a seizure, we were able to give information to the ems.

i know how important it is to work and the need financially. maybe it's the smaller businesses who have more compassion and understanding. you aren't a number a punches a clock to them.

But folks, WHEN is a good time to tell? Right after they tell you, you have the job or on your first day? Maybe, like ___ said it says in any handbook they might give you, it might say something like they can do nothing once you are told you are hired. I've been thinking about it too because I just wrote a resume & cover letter to mail today. What do you suggest I do if I have an interview?

lor,

the best thing would be to read over all the policies a company or business has before accepting a positions.

i can't speak for other businesses, but we have all applicants read ours while waiting for their interview.

we have to do a complete background check and also periodic drug screening. if an applicant won't do these, then it's not anyone's time being wasted by interviewing.

ask what the companies policies are if they don't offer.

My job for example requires that I have an excellent driving record. I work for an auto dealership and am frequently driving company and customer vehicles. It may be for very short distances (50 feet or less) or for 30 miles, so for insurance purposes I have to maintain a stellar driving record. I disclosed my medical history to a previous auto dealership I worked for and they were actually the most understanding out of everyone. Tho' at the time I had been seizure free after surgery and was also unmedicated. They actually respected me for what I had been through and didn't have a problem with my memory issues. The job was pretty set in a daily routine which I think really helped to minimize with any memory issues.

I have to add that I very very rarely have a seizure now and when I do they are confined to simple partials (auras) unless I am at a concert or am around loud music with particular notes. Then they are complex partials at most. I am medicated for both the seizures and migraines so I don't really feel its necessary to tell them about the seizures because they aren't really the issue, the memory is. I'm of no harm to anyone else or myself and try to control my environment pretty strictly (the music, lights).

Most employers aren't brave enough to outright fire someone for seizures or memory issues, they will however make conditions undesirable enough to "weed you out" and make you leave on your own. I know those tactics, I've been in management. They work quite well. Illegal but successful. Hard to prove in court however. Regardless, who has the time or the money to pursue it let alone the energy?

Someone on another site once mentioned saying you have a "seizure disorder". I tried this once & though my boss had a 'oh no' look on her face, I wasn't fired or given the worst job/duties. What do you think of saying you have a "seizure disorder"? To the boss, it 'sounds better than "epilepsy" '.

I never have told an employer. In fact I rarely tell anyone. Most people dont understand epilepsy. I have found in the past that people think about you differently. They think you are not capable of taking responsibility. So I never tell anyone. And I dont apply for jobs where I could cause injury. No driving jobs or anything like that. But it is hard to function sometimes.

Again, my concern isn't the seizures (which are practically non existant now that I'm on meds). It's the memory issues. If I were to mention seizure anything in my job I'd be in trouble (again, I drive for my job). Brain surgery tends to give people a bad feeling in general even though things are much better now (I think I'm doing great, it's actually been a pretty positive experience all in all). Most people tend to think that you're inadequate after you tell them you've had brain surgery, as if you're not all mentally there... know what I mean? Damaged goods so to speak. Literally, I'm not all there anymore ;) but hey, I make the best of what I've still got, which compared to a lot of people who've never been through the surgery is pretty darned good. I just don't remember things all that well. Sometimes better than others. But then everyone has days like that now don't they?

This is a bit off-topic but the words: " Most people tend to think that you're inadequate after you tell them you've had brain surgery, as if you're not all mentally there... know what I mean? Damaged goods so to speak. " .....
WOW...... I thought I was considered and looked at as "defective" and inferior because I had epilepsy THEN I brain surgery. LOL LOL LOL.
Best illustration is my husband's brother (a college grad :p of course) phoned the house soon after my surgery and I answered with, "Hello". The poor, astonished man man yelped, "NANCY?!?! YOU can use the telpehone?!!??"

I know exactly what you're going through! I used to work for "Country Wide Home Loans." When my seizures started up in the middle of working for them, they just decided to lay me off. But as for telling an employer in an interview, that can go 2 ways. #1, don't tell them, and when they see your seizures while you're working. Then they don't have the right to fire you. You can take them to court. But that's to get your job back and all the pay checks you have missed since they fired or laid you off.
#2, Tell them about them during the interview. Then if they accept you, you can see they are a pretty decent company in accepting problems.

Sincerely
shawn33

Peppermint, Since you are laughing you are apparently taking it 'lightly' (good that you can). Therefore I was thinking of something else...maybe someone has surgery because of a tumor. Therefore they accually had something extra. The patient was simply brought down to most peoples' level. :rolleyes:

Honestly, I think companies can get around this legally. My husband is a contract worker and he has missed a few days due to seizures. His reporting Manager knows about his Epilepsy.

Last week he pulled David aside and told him he wasn't working to his full potential and didn't feel David listened to directions. Give me a break - he's been doing financial reporting for about 5 years! He knows what he's doing (just a little slower these days due to meds) but he definitely know what he's doing.

So as a contract employee, I think they could easily let David go and tell them it was a business decision or that the position was phased out.

Yes Jerri, They know they can't get rid of you legally. So they 'find' some other way to legally get rid of you.

It's so very true, they will just come up with some other reason to let you go. Ultimately it will have something to do with e or some effec that it has on your performance. I actually just did tell my supervisor about my surgery and my e (although I told her I don't really have seizures anymore except with certain types of music- which is true now that I'm medicated again and post surgery). So far so good (I told her about a week before Christmas). I wonder if I did the right thing or not, but I do consider her a friend of mine (although I also considered my last supervisor at my last job a friend too and what a mistake that turned out to be). I must admit that I do feel more vulnerable now. I wonder if it was a mistake to open my mouth or not. Guess only time will tell.