Crohns in the workplace

Crohn's Disease Forum

Help Support Crohn's Disease Forum:

Joined
Oct 31, 2011
Messages
17
Hey There,

Just wondering, did you tell your co-workers about your crohns? I told my manager that so she doesn't wonder why I have all my doctors appts. but should i tell the others on my team?

I don't want others to not give me an opportunity because of my crohns.... thats what I am worried about. I don't want to be the "sick one" OR want the company to some day use that as an excuse to get rid of me or get rid of me for it.

On the other hand I don't want everyone noticing me gone for a "doctors appt" or drop comments when I need to work from home because I am sick. I want them to be aware of when they are sick they need to be careful and wash their hands, not touch things in my office or work from home because my medicine suppresses my immune system.

Anyone have a recommendation based on their own experience?
 
I have told my supervisors bout my crohns and some of them were very understanding but others wernt at all and they would cut my hours because i would get sick alot but thats when i worked at burger king, I now work security and my supervisor is very understanding and works with me when i get sick and have dr appointments. I would at least let your supervisors know whats going on :)
 
I am very open about my disease to anyone and everyone. I think that it helps the public to "be in the know" so that they understand why sometimes you aren't able to do as much. By the way, it is illegal in the states to fire someone because of a disease. You could fight it if it came to that. You have rights!! :)
 
Generally I don't tell people as I work in a very competitive industry where there will be a large number of redundancies in the coming year and I do not want anyone to use it against me. Back in August while suffering a really nasty flare up, I told one of my friends and colleagues and he was genuinely shocked as he had never suspected I was suffering from a chronic illness. Subsequently, I told my boss and one other colleague, so there are three people at work who know the situation and that is how I intend to keep it.
 
It came to the point that I had to at work - just starting getting too sick. Didn't realise for a long time how much it was that particular place of work that was causing it. I tried later on, with support of my GI, to get accommodations at work so that I could continue but I didn't get support from my immediate department. Eventually it was part of the reason that I chose to leave that field of work. I miss the money, but I love being healthier again! I think at some point you have to let them know.
 
Yes. In fact having Crohn's actually was an advantage in my interview and got me the job. Woo hoo! I work for a small company and we are like a family so it's easy. My boss could not be more understanding and she even came over to my house a few weeks after my op to see how I'm getting on. I think people have more respect for me for being open about it. I don't complain about being ill or anything but they see how I handle things despite all the problems crohn's can bring.
 
I didn't have much choice in telling colleagues- they all knew I'd been in hospital and were concerned about me! Being open is helpful, in that my close colleagues understand when I'm having an off day, and that I need time off for appointments etc, and they will cover if I have to go to the toilet or get a snack or something. But I suppose a lot depends on the type of job you have- I work in a school so it's important that we are all part of a team, and if I didn't inform people it might look like I wasn't pulling my weight.
 
All of my colleagues know...I had to tell them, but they pretty much knew when I was sick & going through tests...I work in the Xray dep't so they knew when I had to have tests done & we work close with the GI lab as well...but some people still don't really grasp the whole concept of it, so I have to explain details to them...it's good that my coworkers know & work in the hospital, so most of them understand when I am sick (even if I don't look it) then I am sick....they help me out if I'm working and a bit off (ie: some one else will go do portables or to the operating room for me, etc...)...I am glad I work with a great group of people..it does help!
 

Latest posts

Back
Top