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I have a chronic health issue that I've finally started seeing a specialist for. He wants me to try out a new course of treatment that involves quite a bit of lifestyle/diet changes and a new medication. He wants me to try this out for about 3-4 weeks and then reevaluate.
I have no idea how this treatment will effect my body. This should not impair my ability to work, but at the same time I am a bit nervous.
My current job allows me to work from home 1-2 days a week, and my bosses are pretty nice/ understanding about using sick time and all that stuff.
What I'd ideally like to do is increase the time I can work from home to maybe 4 or even 5 days a week for the next 3-4 weeks while I try this treatment. Or at the very worst maybe take some sick time for 1-2 weeks just to see how my body reacts. I like the first option better because I can at least work and not use sick time, and I think this will be better for my employer as well.
I am not sure how I should broach this subject because it is a medical issue and those can be touchy for me and my employer. I was just thinking of being straightforward and asking to be allowed to work from home for 3-4 weeks and see what they say. I don't want to go into too much detail about my health issues though. Or is this too risky and should I just suck it up and keep my regular schedule?
I truly HATE to say this. But as an ex-HR person, I'm going to be honest. (I also had an illness that required treatment and did the wrong thing, and I regretted not following the advice I'm going to give you.)
Keep your health issues to yourself. Try to keep to your usual schedule. Don't give an employer ANY extra information beyond what they NEED to know. And they don't NEED to know this unless it interferes with your work.
If you find that you cannot deal with the regular schedule, then go talk to them, explaining that you 'didn't realize the new regimen would be so hard on your body'.
And before you even start this thing, give yourself some serious positive attitude and affirmations that the new treatment isn't going to be so bad. Go into it with a positive attitude and you'll do far better.
Good luck with the new treatment. I sincerely hope it helps you get healthy.
IMO, the least said to your employer, the better. Save the discussions unless/until its necessary.
You're assuming the lifestyle changes will affect your ability to work. It might not affect you at all in that regard. Then, you will have opened up a part of your life you can't take back with your employer. You don't want them to think of you as the person who's health problems interfere with your dependability. Remember, it comes across differently to the employer. If you ask 2-3 times for a schedule modification, but only actually do a modification once, you wll still be seen as "always" wanting modifications. Remember, in the eyes of others, once is a pattern, twice is forever. Just take it as it comes and hang in there!
I truly HATE to say this. But as an ex-HR person, I'm going to be honest. (I also had an illness that required treatment and did the wrong thing, and I regretted not following the advice I'm going to give you.)
Keep your health issues to yourself. Try to keep to your usual schedule. Don't give an employer ANY extra information beyond what they NEED to know. And they don't NEED to know this unless it interferes with your work.
If you find that you cannot deal with the regular schedule, then go talk to them, explaining that you 'didn't realize the new regimen would be so hard on your body'.
And before you even start this thing, give yourself some serious positive attitude and affirmations that the new treatment isn't going to be so bad. Go into it with a positive attitude and you'll do far better.
Good luck with the new treatment. I sincerely hope it helps you get healthy.
JKGourmet is exactly right.
Keep your health issues private.
Do not take additional time off of work unless you have to. Being able to work from home 1-2 days a week should help this. A sick day or two (I would suggest doing some work from home on these days if you can) can also be used.
Don't say a word. Best case scenario is that your body and work aren't majorly affected, in which case, there was never a need to alert anyone.
Is your new course of treatment going to be drastic? Are there well known side effects with the new medication that you're anticipating? Your body may have little to no problem. But, if there will be a drastic change, can the course of treatment occur more slowly, to give your body time to adjust?
Can you start your treatment midweek? It could give you a bit of a gauge of how you will feel during the following week, and you'll have the weekend, and if necessary, can throw in a sick day or 2.
Unfortunately for me, there was no way for me to hide my health issue. My managers were very understanding and cooperative, and I can't say that I'm worried about being fired. But, I will have zero chance of ever moving up.
I agree with the others to not say anything UNLESS it becomes a problem. I have an appointment in two weeks to see my doctor for fertility issues, and as far as my work knows I have no desire to be pregnant anytime soon. Whenever I do get pregnant I'm just going to say "oh well it happened sooner than we thought it would" and leave it at that.
Don't make it an issue until it is one. I agree to ask to start treatment around midweek so it's easier to call in sick if necessary.
Did you speak to your doctor about this issue?
Are you sure the treatment will impact you in terms of not being able to go into work?
I have a chronic medical condition and have limits and severe flares so understand how it impacts everyday life. That being said people who don't face health problems often don't understand. With an employer there would also be fears for them in terms of liability, you being able to do your job, if things were to get worse.
In my opinion I would take things as they come unless your doctor stated you need to be out of work. Who knows the treatment may not impact you in that you will need time off. If it does then you could state for health problem you need time off but I would keep vague. This way they would not know it is a chronic condition.
Feel better and I hope the treatment helps you
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