Crohn's and work issues

[Mazen]

I currently work in an international company and we're in a big merger now. This has openned up a lot of opportunities for career growth.

In the last 6 years I had to skip work sometimes due to my Crohn's (including 3 hospital stays), and so I had to inform my managers and some collegues that I have Crohn's.

But now, I just learned that I haven't been considered to some open positions, although I'm highly qualified and have much better experience than lots of others, because as they are saying" I'm always sick or I may get sick in the future" :ymad: Nobody told this to my face, but I heard it indirectly from other colleagues. And now I see many people getting good positions, and I'm offered nothing .....

I'm very angry now.... People are so ignorant and they don't understand how it feels to have a chronic illness, and that it doesn't mean you are not fit to do good work.... I see some of them whine and complain when they have a simple cold !!!!!

Sorry, I was just pissed off and wanted to vent. Thanks for listening.

 

[mikeyarmo]

That definately sucks!

I do not even know if you would be wanting a position knowing what you have heard now, but maybe you can ask a superior why you were not offered any positions, considering you are more experienced than some of your coworkers. At least they will have to give you an answer that you deem acceptable. I believe it is illegal to discriminate against someone due to health issues, so they will need to tell you something else. But you can argue any points they bring up that really are not that strong, so that hopefully you will get them to reconsider you for a different position.

 

[Kev]

I lost my position of 8 years thanks to this disease, and now I've had to take a totally new (altho in my particular case.. rather old) career path to find any work. I don't believe employment is protected in the case of a chronic illness, or a history of illness. I believe some governments protect discriminating against employees with a disability, but I don't believe it extends to a chronic illness (I may be wrong in that, but I think the so called 'they' distinguish somehow between 'disability' & 'chronic illness') Anyone with 1st hand knowledge one way or the other is more than welcome to toss in their two cents worth here. I guess maybe one of the things we folks with various forms of IBD could do for ourselves is to promote the concept & hopefully the inevitable acceptance that a chronic form of IBD merits its acceptance as a 'disability'. Would that entitle us to job protection under the law? Or how about 1st crack at the restrooms labeled for the 'disabled'? That'd be nice.

 

[HostileJava]

Or how about 1st crack at the restrooms labeled for the 'disabled'? That'd be nice.

THAT would be nice!

 

[bayguy13]

My own personal experience is that I tell my boss on a need to know basis and don't mention it to prospective employers. I also get a note from my doctor to be put in my file so that I can request the company to make reasonable accomodations for my illness (such as time off for doctor visits, tests, and unexpected flairs).