Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Diagnosed with a incurable chronic disease, should I tell my employer?

news.ycombinator.com

11–20 of 36 posts

Re: Ask HN: Diagnosed with a incurable chronic disease, should I tell my employer?

#13
What country? Age? In the USA companies often engineer their health care costs by pruning people with incurable chronic diseases. In Canada and many other countries they do not do this. At some point you may have to advise your employer. You may agree to a lesser work/lesser $$ - ultimately you might get a disability pension of some degree? If your doctor is able to advise the best path and use confidentiality to help you that would be good. At some point you may no longer be able to work, plan for that as best you can.

Re: Ask HN: Diagnosed with a incurable chronic disease, should I tell my employer?

#14
I don't have any advice other people haven't covered.

I just wanted to say I'm really sorry you're going through this, and I hope the best people in your life are able to stay close to you, and that you'll find some more best people along the journey.

Re: Ask HN: Diagnosed with a incurable chronic disease, should I tell my employer?

#15
I will go against the grain and say that if it will impact your attendance, appearance, or job performance in any way it may be best to tell HR and your direct manager. If not, then I wouldn’t bring it up.

The reason to tell is because it will provide you some legal protections and will make HR very hesitant to green light firing you. Second, if you do end up getting fired you have leverage to negotiate a better severance package. HR will want to mitigate any potential for lawsuit and offer a good package.

Re: Ask HN: Diagnosed with a incurable chronic disease, should I tell my employer?

#16

I will go against the grain and say that if it will impact your attendance, appearance, or job performance in any way it may be best to tell HR and your direct manager. If not, then I wouldn’t bring it up. The reason to tell is because it will provide you some legal protections and will make HR very hesitant to green light firing you. Second, if you do end up getting fired you have leverage to negotiate a better seve…

this. is youre in a country where the sick cant be easily fired and mistreated, take advantwge of it.

also maybe youll get some support and consideration from opening up to them.

but shit man i wonder how your family will receive the news too. i wish you well in your journey.

Re: Ask HN: Diagnosed with a incurable chronic disease, should I tell my employer?

#18
No, they have no right to that information, and if medical accomodations need to be made you stick with that (i.e. what your Doctor says); you do not volunteer information because they will fire you for it.

It may not happen immediately, all they need to do is wait 6 months and it can't be considered retaliatory.

Re: Ask HN: Diagnosed with a incurable chronic disease, should I tell my employer?

#19
post #18

No, they have no right to that information, and if medical accomodations need to be made you stick with that (i.e. what your Doctor says); you do not volunteer information because they will fire you for it. It may not happen immediately, all they need to do is wait 6 months and it can't be considered retaliatory.

[dead]

Re: Ask HN: Diagnosed with a incurable chronic disease, should I tell my employer?

#20
are you in America? don't tell anyone. you'll be fired unfairly and your illness used against you.

Are you in a country with legal protections for workers? tell whoever you want, it can only help your happiness in your workplace. Employer won't be able to fire you and you should get additional support from govt etc.

Post reply on HN