I started a new job about a year ago and I finally feel comfortable with my coworkers that I want to tell a few of them about my MM. But I don't know how I should go about it. Besides my immediate family, no one else knows about my MM, not even my best friend. I just don't know how they will take it or what they will say. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Only you can decide what to reveal. Personally, I don't recommend it after only one year. I have revealed mine. However, I have been OTJ for 25 years. I plan to go at 62 unless I can figure out how to go sooner. My symptoms have allot to do with my decision. It's not like we are financially ready. The term scratchin shi# with the chickens comes to mind. How has your employer treated others with health issues of similar nature? Depending on severity of symptoms, you may have no choice. Tread lightly as you have no responsibility to provide detailed health info of this nature unless your job description requires performance you cannot meet.
A coworker of mine the one day got a little dizzy and asked if she could go sit down for a couple minutes and they made a very big deal out of it. She kept telling them she would be fine in a couple minutes, but they wouldn't listen to her. They also made her go home for the rest of the day until she could go to the Drs and get a note saying that it was ok for her to work. Other than that I haven't heard of any other coworkers having similar issues. My vertigo seems to be getting a little worse. When I first started getting the vertigo four years ago, just the room would spin. Now it seems like the room spins one way and I spin the opposite way plus I get times where I feel nausea. I feel like I would feel more comfortable working if I knew some of my most trusted coworkers knew a little about it, just in case something happens while I am working. I told my coworker that had the dizzy spell, but she has since quit.
I'd be very careful. The way they treated your co-worker doesn't bode well for their tolerance of sick workers. They may require a Dr's recommendation saying you are able to do the job. They may consider you a risk if you're dizzy and fall and hurt yourself. Co-workers shouldn't be given knowledge that can be used against you. Just my 2 cents.
Long before you discuss anything with co-workers, you should discuss it with your HR and or Disability Office. If you don't notify them, then they are not legally responsible for providing reasonable accommodations. In other words, they can fire you on the spot if they find out from other channels.
My boss and coworkers know all about it. But I had worked here for a couple years before my Meniere's started. So they have seen me since the beginning, before I knew what it was. My company is very understanding, though I know all companies are different. I actually talk about my issues all of the time. In December was my first vertigo attack at work. I was glad my coworkers knew ahead of time so they understood what was going on when it happened. My coworker helped get me outside so my husband could pick me up. I even was able to have one of them go tell my boss why I was leaving... and that was fine with him. He understood. I think a lot of it depends on how understanding you feel your employer will be. I feel very comfortable with my employer knowing, but based on the way your job reacted to your coworker being dizzy I would be a little weary.
go to HR immediately and tell them your situation (never hide a disability/nothing to be ashamed of) and also make sure you are signed up for FMLA....Family Medical Leave Act so you can use it when needed (they cannot hold that against you in evaluations/pay, ect...) and not use so called sick days. It is always important to remember you have a qualified disability and as Scott Tom said they cannot hold that against you if you notify HR with the proper documentation, so make sure you have all your ducks in a row with doctor letters, FMLA, disability policy ect....... Do not under any circumstance let them fire you, i would recommend filing for disability or FMLA before it comes to that. As someone with a documented certified disability you have rights and protections....make sure you are aware of those protections and use them if needed. Good Luck
this information is very enlightening and important to me as I'm new and haven't navigated this path yet. When i was diagnosed the Dr. never called it a disability. i think i should apply for disability income as i have been unable to work. And i get the $ issues.