Should I Tell?
People in the workforce may consider disclosing information about their medical condition or impairment for a variety of reasons — some that are more emotional and others that are more practical. They may feel uncomfortable in one way or another about keeping their medical condition a secret, or want their boss and colleagues to understand the ways in which their medical condition can impact their attendance or job performance from day to day. Or, they may consider disclosing this information in order to request time off or some kind of accommodation.
Select the reasons that best describe your situation:
- I feel guilty.
- I am afraid of being found out.
- I’ll feel less alone; I want the support of others.
- I just want to tell.
- I prefer to let people know before they begin to wonder what’s wrong.
- I want them to know it’s not “all in my head.”
- I feel dishonest — I’m just not comfortable keeping it a secret.
- How can I expect my employer to be straight with me if I’m not straight with him or her?
- I don't want people to misinterpret what's going on with me (e.g., think I'm drunk, lazy or uninterested).
- I need to take time off because I don’t feel well.
- I need to take time off for medical appointments.
- My medications are affecting my work performance.
- My work is suffering and I’m afraid of a bad job evaluation.
- I received a bad evaluation.
- My symptoms are becoming obvious to others.
- I need an on-the-job accommodation (e.g., flex-time, a parking spot near the building, an office closer to the bathroom, voice-activated software for my computer).
- I need to take a medical leave of absence.
