Experts say it all depends on your comfort level and the climate in your organisation. [Photo/theconversation.com]
Declaring to Human Resource about a chronic illness is always a tough decision. The odds are that disclosure always has a risk element and there is no particular way of handling disclosure of chronic illness at work.
It all depends on your comfort level and the climate in your organisation. Some employers are motivated in keeping you if they value your contribution over and above inconvenience.
You could begin by establishing if your new workplace has flexible work policies or disease management programmes that help employees affected by chronic conditions function at the workplace.
If you reveal to HR, allow them to ask questions as they wish, but remember they only need to know the information that will make a difference on the job.
Provide information from your doctor whether HR asks for it or not. Being prepared with documentation not only validates your requests but it makes you appear prepared, credible and in control of yourself and the illness.
It is important to remember that you are separate from the disease you are battling. Managing a chronic illness can take a great toll on you, so it is important to do your best to maintain your self-esteem, so you don’t hinder your career advancement due to lack of confidence.
The overriding thing to note is to resist the urge to shrink and fall off radar.