When to Tell Your Employer About Your Ulcerative Colitis

You have a chronic condition, ulcerative colitis. Is everyone a friend? Is everyone an ally? The simple answer is "no". While I don't want to be viewed as paranoid, we do live in a world where people will use information for their own gain and, so will a company.

However, we have discussed that we don't want to present a public persona that is down and mistrusting; so what is the answer? It seems like every issue we look at boils down to the same attributes; good judgment and honesty.

It is important to know not only why you are releasing information about your ulcerative colitis condition but to whom.

I recall a phrase I heard as a young business man. It went something like "Some people will tell you everything they know in 30 seconds and some people will talk to you all day, with a smile, and tell you nothing". I believe our position as ulcerative colitis sufferers should be the latter.

I had a job in my mid-thirties and was actually doing quite well. A day came when for whatever reason, I confided in my boss about my ulcerative colitis condition. Our relationship changed (for some reason he found it distasteful), and ultimately the environment became so negative I was forced to leave.

The fact of the matter is that there are precious few times that it is really required that you release information about your ulcerative colitis condition.

If you are applying for disability benefits, obviously they need to know all there is to know about your situation in order to possibly give you benefits.

You have to be completely honest with your doctor. Your doctor can't help you if you "play games".

If you are applying for insurance it is not required because there is the preexisting condition clause, but, it probably is not a bad idea to understand exactly where you stand with respect to your coverage and, typically these days, preexisting conditions are covered at some point.

When you are hopelessly in love and you need to know how your intended is going to handle the situation then they need to be told. However, they should be told. Not with a long face and downcast attitude but rather as someone who expects the best from life; someone who has hope. And that is the way you should feel!

While I get irritated with rules that potential employers try to place on potential employees, I have to admit there are times that one should be up front with their ulcerative colitis condition and that is when other peoples' lives are at stake such as a bus driver or a shuttle driver or a nurse for that matter. Your inability to function routinely could cause a problem.

Yes, there are times you need a close friend to know. Do they need to know? No, you need them to know. We all need acceptance and we have a need to know that we are alright. That comes from a friend or two standing by us even though we have ulcerative colitis.

So when do you release information about your ulcerative colitis condition? First you walk circumspectly. Then you simply release the information to those who play an important part in your life or whom you feel responsible to.

If you are careful and honest with respect to your ulcerative colitis condition, you will be fine.