Advice on what and how much to tell work

youlemming

Hi, I may be jumping the gun a bit here as I haven't been offically diagnosed with RA yet but if the results come back on Fri when I see the doctor that it is what and how much do I tell work?

I'm office based and at the moment it's not really affecting me too much apart from sometimes needing to stand up and walk around a bit in long meetings (which my boss also does as he can't keep still for long).
My direct boss know's I have had some tests done and a few of my close collegues but that's all.

Do I say something to HR once I get the results if it is RA so I'm not questioned later about time off for appointments or if there are days I do need some time off and so they know if I need any support later down the line or wait till to see if it gets worse?

Don't want it to have any negitive affect on job oppertunities, which I know it shouldn't but you never know, but also don't want to hide it if there are things they can do to help in the future.

Thanks

mouseymousey

Hello, I'd wait till you get the results. Until you know what you are dealing with?
Even then, my advice (its free so its worth what you pay for it) is to wait a little while before you start telling people at work. If it comes back as having an RA marker it takes a little while for it to sink in in your own mind.

dibdab

Hi there,
This disease takes some getting your head around, and little by little we become more aware of how it affects different parts of life. Once I had a confirmed diagnosis of RA I told my headteacher, and gave her some leaflets about it that gave her an insight into what symptoms, treatments etc I might meet, and how it might impact on my work life. If you do have RA your employer has a duty to make "reasonable adjustments" to you work place because it's a chronic disease. What I did find is that folks who knew began to offer with things that I struggled with like carrying heavy things (and fastening tiny buttons and shoe laces- I teach 5 year olds!). I have to say the head was grateful for the information because though she had heard of the disease she had no idea of the nature and symptoms.

Hope all goes well for you.

Deb x

youlemming

Thanks, I will definetly wait till I have a confirmation whether is RA or something else that's causing the problems before I speak with HR.

I think the only thing I can ask them for at the moment is a better chair as I get quite a bit of back ache but not sure what it is I need or how to go about finding out what one would be best.
If anyone has any recommendations of types to look at I would be grateful.

In general I think work are good with long term problems as we have a few people with various disabilities in the company, but I haven't got first hand experience or close enough to those that have to feel like I can ask too much.

loovechocolate

IMHO it depends if you want promotion, it shouldn’t but the case but in the real world it does matter. I managed to keep RA MY business for a number of years as I wasn’t prepared to give up my career, you see I had previously sat in many meetings with HR discussing personnel issues and although they will say all the right to you their job is to protect the company as is your line managers. You have no legal obligation to tell the company unless you are a danger to yourself or others or you are registered disabled as regards your chair everyone is able to ask for work place assessments you don’t have tell them anything other than “my chair is uncomfortable and I am in pain”. Appointments and assessments – I can only speak for me I managed to keep it private, produced appointment letters and when asked if you are ok standard answer “ok just having some tests checks etc I’ll let you know if I’m going to die on you “this usually is enough and always tried to rearrange to suit the job, not always possible I know, but more often than not you can 10:00 Monday or 16:30 Wednesday isn’t much different.
My way may not be the right way and I may have upset some here but sorry arthritis is evil, some days I wanted to give up and jack my job so glad I didn’t I managed to carry-on working for 9 years and progressed up ladder, RA was my dirty little secret

DebraKelly

I would wait until you know for sure what you've got and then tell your work.

RA is classed as a disability so your work will have to very careful in how they support you.

For example when I got diagnosed with RA 3 years ago I got a full workstation assessment done and was given a special chair, mouse and keyboard for RA. I certainly wouldn't be able to work without them. I have also able to work from home on bad days if needed.

Always tell your work the truth with regards to your health.