64 Ever wondered if you should tell your boss about your MS? I have, and let me tell you, it’s not a simple yes or no.Hey, so I came across this Reddit thread today about whether to tell your job you have MS. There were stories of incredible support that made me smile, and tales of discrimination that made my blood boil. My own experience has been pretty positive, but reading through those comments was a stark reminder: not everyone’s so lucky. It’s a roll of the dice, really. Will your boss be understanding, or will you suddenly find yourself pushed out the door? So, here’s the thing—there are pros and cons with every alternative, and you’re left wondering if honesty really is the best policy when it comes to MS and our careers. Now, I’ve always tried to be upfront about my MS at work, and for the most part, it’s gone pretty well. But, let me be honest—I’ve had a rough experience in a previous job too, and it wasn’t easy. Reading through all these stories from others, it reminded me how different things can be for everyone. It’s heartbreaking to think that not everyone has had the support they deserve. People in the Reddit thread were even saying, “Shhh, keep it to yourself!”—especially if you’ve no idea how your workplace will handle it. And, oh, the stories. One person talked about their coworkers gossiping about someone with depression and ADHD. I mean, how awful is that? It started off all nice and supportive, but then, surprise, surprise, it turned into them whispering behind the poor soul’s back and having those dreaded “stern conversations” about how their disabilities were making them unreliable. Another person said they got the boot after asking for accommodations. But it wasn’t all bad news. Some people found really supportive bosses, like this one person whose manager even pushed for their promotion. They work in education, so maybe some fields are more open, but still. And apparently, government jobs can be more accommodating, which is good to know. One federal employee mentioned that once you’re in, they have to accommodate you for physical disabilities. Another person works in a call center and their employer installed handicapped doors, signed them up for extra long-term disability insurance, and helped develop a special exit strategy in case of emergencies. Another person in an academic setting found their coworkers (mostly doctors and psychologists) to be very understanding and supportive. A lot of people did suggest to wait until after you’re hired to disclose. It makes sense – that way, you’re already in the door and they’re legally required to provide accommodations. One person said they told their employer when they got the job offer, so they knew the response before signing and could potentially have a discrimination case if the offer was withdrawn. But it feels a bit like you have to play games just to protect yourself… But then there were stories that once again reminded me how tough it can be. One person lost their job due to the cost of their medical coverage. Another mentioned feeling like they were being pushed out during downsizing, suspecting it might be related to their MS. Ugh. It’s frustrating that we even have to have this conversation, right? In an ideal world, we could just be honest without worrying about losing our jobs or facing discrimination. But that’s not the reality for a lot of people with MS. I guess the takeaway is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. You’ve got to weigh the risks and benefits based on your own situation. Consider things like: ⁕ The culture of your workplace⁕ How supportive your boss and coworkers seem⁕ Whether you need accommodations right away⁕ The legal protections in your area⁕ How your MS might impact your job performance Some people wait until they absolutely have to disclose, like when symptoms become noticeable or they need specific accommodations. Others prefer to be upfront from the start. It really depends on your personal situation and comfort level. But it sucks that we have to do that calculus at all. It’s a reminder of how far we still have to go in terms of workplace understanding and accommodation for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. What about you? Have you had to make this decision before? How did it go? I’m curious to hear your take on it. And if you’re facing this decision now, remember that whatever you choose, it’s about what’s best for you and your health. There’s no right or wrong answer here.
64 Ever wondered if you should tell your boss about your MS? I have, and let me tell you, it’s not a simple yes or no.Hey, so I came across this Reddit thread today about whether to tell your job you have MS. There were stories of incredible support that made me smile, and tales of discrimination that made my blood boil. My own experience has been pretty positive, but reading through those comments was a stark reminder: not everyone’s so lucky. It’s a roll of the dice, really. Will your boss be understanding, or will you suddenly find yourself pushed out the door? So, here’s the thing—there are pros and cons with every alternative, and you’re left wondering if honesty really is the best policy when it comes to MS and our careers. Now, I’ve always tried to be upfront about my MS at work, and for the most part, it’s gone pretty well. But, let me be honest—I’ve had a rough experience in a previous job too, and it wasn’t easy. Reading through all these stories from others, it reminded me how different things can be for everyone. It’s heartbreaking to think that not everyone has had the support they deserve. People in the Reddit thread were even saying, “Shhh, keep it to yourself!”—especially if you’ve no idea how your workplace will handle it. And, oh, the stories. One person talked about their coworkers gossiping about someone with depression and ADHD. I mean, how awful is that? It started off all nice and supportive, but then, surprise, surprise, it turned into them whispering behind the poor soul’s back and having those dreaded “stern conversations” about how their disabilities were making them unreliable. Another person said they got the boot after asking for accommodations. But it wasn’t all bad news. Some people found really supportive bosses, like this one person whose manager even pushed for their promotion. They work in education, so maybe some fields are more open, but still. And apparently, government jobs can be more accommodating, which is good to know. One federal employee mentioned that once you’re in, they have to accommodate you for physical disabilities. Another person works in a call center and their employer installed handicapped doors, signed them up for extra long-term disability insurance, and helped develop a special exit strategy in case of emergencies. Another person in an academic setting found their coworkers (mostly doctors and psychologists) to be very understanding and supportive. A lot of people did suggest to wait until after you’re hired to disclose. It makes sense – that way, you’re already in the door and they’re legally required to provide accommodations. One person said they told their employer when they got the job offer, so they knew the response before signing and could potentially have a discrimination case if the offer was withdrawn. But it feels a bit like you have to play games just to protect yourself… But then there were stories that once again reminded me how tough it can be. One person lost their job due to the cost of their medical coverage. Another mentioned feeling like they were being pushed out during downsizing, suspecting it might be related to their MS. Ugh. It’s frustrating that we even have to have this conversation, right? In an ideal world, we could just be honest without worrying about losing our jobs or facing discrimination. But that’s not the reality for a lot of people with MS. I guess the takeaway is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. You’ve got to weigh the risks and benefits based on your own situation. Consider things like: ⁕ The culture of your workplace⁕ How supportive your boss and coworkers seem⁕ Whether you need accommodations right away⁕ The legal protections in your area⁕ How your MS might impact your job performance Some people wait until they absolutely have to disclose, like when symptoms become noticeable or they need specific accommodations. Others prefer to be upfront from the start. It really depends on your personal situation and comfort level. But it sucks that we have to do that calculus at all. It’s a reminder of how far we still have to go in terms of workplace understanding and accommodation for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. What about you? Have you had to make this decision before? How did it go? I’m curious to hear your take on it. And if you’re facing this decision now, remember that whatever you choose, it’s about what’s best for you and your health. There’s no right or wrong answer here.
64 Ever wondered if you should tell your boss about your MS? I have, and let me tell you, it’s not a simple yes or no.Hey, so I came across this Reddit thread today about whether to tell your job you have MS. There were stories of incredible support that made me smile, and tales of discrimination that made my blood boil. My own experience has been pretty positive, but reading through those comments was a stark reminder: not everyone’s so lucky. It’s a roll of the dice, really. Will your boss be understanding, or will you suddenly find yourself pushed out the door? So, here’s the thing—there are pros and cons with every alternative, and you’re left wondering if honesty really is the best policy when it comes to MS and our careers. Now, I’ve always tried to be upfront about my MS at work, and for the most part, it’s gone pretty well. But, let me be honest—I’ve had a rough experience in a previous job too, and it wasn’t easy. Reading through all these stories from others, it reminded me how different things can be for everyone. It’s heartbreaking to think that not everyone has had the support they deserve. People in the Reddit thread were even saying, “Shhh, keep it to yourself!”—especially if you’ve no idea how your workplace will handle it. And, oh, the stories. One person talked about their coworkers gossiping about someone with depression and ADHD. I mean, how awful is that? It started off all nice and supportive, but then, surprise, surprise, it turned into them whispering behind the poor soul’s back and having those dreaded “stern conversations” about how their disabilities were making them unreliable. Another person said they got the boot after asking for accommodations. But it wasn’t all bad news. Some people found really supportive bosses, like this one person whose manager even pushed for their promotion. They work in education, so maybe some fields are more open, but still. And apparently, government jobs can be more accommodating, which is good to know. One federal employee mentioned that once you’re in, they have to accommodate you for physical disabilities. Another person works in a call center and their employer installed handicapped doors, signed them up for extra long-term disability insurance, and helped develop a special exit strategy in case of emergencies. Another person in an academic setting found their coworkers (mostly doctors and psychologists) to be very understanding and supportive. A lot of people did suggest to wait until after you’re hired to disclose. It makes sense – that way, you’re already in the door and they’re legally required to provide accommodations. One person said they told their employer when they got the job offer, so they knew the response before signing and could potentially have a discrimination case if the offer was withdrawn. But it feels a bit like you have to play games just to protect yourself… But then there were stories that once again reminded me how tough it can be. One person lost their job due to the cost of their medical coverage. Another mentioned feeling like they were being pushed out during downsizing, suspecting it might be related to their MS. Ugh. It’s frustrating that we even have to have this conversation, right? In an ideal world, we could just be honest without worrying about losing our jobs or facing discrimination. But that’s not the reality for a lot of people with MS. I guess the takeaway is that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. You’ve got to weigh the risks and benefits based on your own situation. Consider things like: ⁕ The culture of your workplace⁕ How supportive your boss and coworkers seem⁕ Whether you need accommodations right away⁕ The legal protections in your area⁕ How your MS might impact your job performance Some people wait until they absolutely have to disclose, like when symptoms become noticeable or they need specific accommodations. Others prefer to be upfront from the start. It really depends on your personal situation and comfort level. But it sucks that we have to do that calculus at all. It’s a reminder of how far we still have to go in terms of workplace understanding and accommodation for people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. What about you? Have you had to make this decision before? How did it go? I’m curious to hear your take on it. And if you’re facing this decision now, remember that whatever you choose, it’s about what’s best for you and your health. There’s no right or wrong answer here.