Getting hired with a disability

Anonymous

November 18,2023 at 3:47PM UTC

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Getting hired with a disability

I am disabled but I can work. I know I don't have to disclose my medical condition in an interview; however, I am required to see my doctor once a month. If I'm hired, I'll have to take time off in just a matter of 1-4 weeks (depending on when I'm hired and when my appointment falls). I'll need at least a half-day off 12 times a year just for one doctor. That doesn't count other routine check-ups everyone needs, like the dentist, ob/gyn, eye doctor, etc. That means that sometimes I'll need time off for doctor appointments twice in one month, if not more, depending on when appointments fall.

So my question is, how do I address this? I'm afraid to mention it because what if they're ableist and don't want someone disabled? But if I don't mention it and then have to ask for time off almost immediately, I don't think it would go over well. I was pretty much forced out of my last job because of it. That's a long story, but my supervisor made my life miserable until I resigned.

I've been trying to find part-time work to accommodate my disability. I am an intake specialist/paralegal. Part-time jobs in the paralegal field are scarce. I've looked at data entry jobs, but people apply to those in droves. A lot of part-time work is physical, which my health prohibits me from being able to do.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

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Brittany CarnesNovember 18,2023 at 4:17PM UTC
Following
maria roseNovember 18,2023 at 6:09PM UTC
A monthly appointment that occurs on a regular basis should not be a major issue in any job because you can always find a way to get the job requirements done. I am assuming that you are looking for work during what is referred to as business hours ( Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm, no weekends which are considered days off) and your monthly appointment can only be arranged during that specific time period too. What you are limiting yourself to is not realizing that work occurs 24/7, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, which limits your work opportunities scope to a mere 40 hours of work in the vast 365/24/7 world. You need to expand your view of the work schedule and realize that you can achieve the required 1500 hours over the 365/24/7 much more easily and still have time to include your PTO, sick and vacation time plus accommodate your monthly appointment and not lose your personal time. There are plenty of job opportunities that are not limited to business hours only to operate. Don’t create an unnecessary block to finding your best work fit opportunity.
Cindy GloverNovember 19,2023 at 2:15AM UTC
I admire you and your honesty regarding this subject. And you are absolutely correct, you are not obligated whatsoever to talk anyone your business. If I may ask, is this something that could be handled during a Televisit a % of the time?
When the time is right, I’d be honest with either HR or your manager (both ideally) and explain you have obligations but are happy to either make up the time or in some way take on something else comparable to show you’re willing to not allow this to affect your performance.
I hope that came out right ?
AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 6:56PM UTC
Great advice, Cindy.
AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 9:21PM UTC
It isn't something I can do with a Televisit, unfortunately. My condition is partially treated with meds that are controlled and laws/regulations do not allow Televisits for them. I also asked at my last appointment if coming in once a month was absolutely necessary and my doctor said yes. I believe that is also because of government regulations regarding the type of medication I'm on, so it's not something my doctor and do anything about.
That did come out right, thank you! I'm definitely willing to make up the time. I may be overthinking it, I do that a lot, lol. Hopefully, the right opportunity will present itself and I'll know it when I see it that it's a safe place.
Cindy GloverNovember 21,2023 at 12:11AM UTC
im not one to hold back very much simply because I wouldn’t be who I am if I did.
I too am on a variety of controlled medications and because of them, I’m able to do my job. Get out of bed and shower. 4 years ago, I couldn’t.
I use Tele-visits for all medications. Maybe you could talk to your insurance for options?
Cindy GloverNovember 21,2023 at 12:12AM UTC
Also, when you refer to a safe place - you mean the workplace?
Bonnie HyattNovember 19,2023 at 1:50PM UTC
I know it’s a hard decision, but I would disclose this to them. If they do not hire you, it would have been an issue, anyway. If they do, then there are
protections (ADA) in place since you disclosed, which includes allowing reasonable unpaid time off for appointments. With that said, you are not required to disclose under the law, but IF you choose not to, be sure to reach out to HR as soon as you start and request accommodations under the ADA. If you do not, there is no protection in place for you.
Ruth SathreNovember 19,2023 at 1:51PM UTC
The terms to look up are accommodations and intermittent FMLA. The accommodations are what you you are describing and FMLA protects your position. FMLA applies to companies with 50 employees or more and after 6 months of employment. Accommodations are worked out from day 1 with HR. You are correct that you do not have to disclose disabilities during the interview process. The accommodations are discussed after the job offer has been signed. Then the job details are then worked out with the manager.
AnonymousNovember 19,2023 at 9:07PM UTC
Disclose it but only AFTER you're hired/have signed the offer letter. Unfortunately so many companies are extremely ableist, especially around schedules. Ask for it as a reasonable accommodation and offer to make up the time you miss. Also if you're working part time, trying to see if you can schedule the appointments when you're not at work.
maria roseNovember 20,2023 at 12:47AM UTC
Check labor laws for the definition and description of what determines classification of a designated full time position spread over 365 days/52 weeks of the year/ based on the current standards of required number of hours. Different geographic locations may differ in the requirements for classification of full time jobs especially when discussing salaried positions versus hourly positions but you do not have to work all 365 days/7 days per week for all 52 weeks of the year, once you subtract PTO time which included paid mandated federal holidays, contracted paid holidays, sick days, personal days and vacation days all of which are figured on a standard 8 hour day.
maria roseNovember 20,2023 at 9:36PM UTC
Based on information from IRS a person is considered full time if they are employed on an average 130 hours per month or in the same definition on average 30 hours a week. This is a decrease from using former requirements of the average of 40 hours per week or 160 hours per month. Do the math to figure out the yearly total. People today don’t have to work as many hours to qualify to be considered a full time employee, plus get additional PTO time on top of that total.
Cindy GloverNovember 21,2023 at 12:14AM UTC
Yes, actually there is - for example- the state of RI MANDATES 80 hours of PTO for FTE.
Sarah StadtherrNovember 21,2023 at 3:15AM UTC
You can say you've had these appointments booked prior to your hiring. My daughter sees a neurologist and we book the annual appointment for next year prior to leaving every single time. So, I book an appointment having no idea if this will fit next year. If it happens to not fit then I can reschedule it but at least the office and I both know she's going in at x day in November (for example). Your new job has no way to know if this is applicable to your doctor appointments so play it that you've always had to book far in advance and it's very difficult to get a new appointment. You can say that your prescriptions cannot be renewed without the visit and blood work or what have you. If they ask (with or without great concern) you simply say "I have a few things that I have to have a maintenance Rx for but I don't really want to spend time talking about this....."
maria roseNovember 21,2023 at 5:24PM UTC
No one, unless they are a dedicated workaholic, works every single week of the year (?your reference to 52 weeks of 40 hours). Yes if employed one expects 52 weeks of paychecks but not all of those weeks are working for the job paid time—subtract off all PTO time under whatever way it is labeled—it is time that’s
paid without having to actually work ( which you clearly forgot to do) and if you do that subtraction, you will understand that workers today only need to actually work 1500 hours per year.—quite a long way from what workers did before labor laws were put into place.. So using the 30 hr per week full time status of current day standard , one does get 50 weeks plus 2 weeks of PTO which equals in year of 52 paychecks . Most people get more than just 2 weeks of PTO with the more generous company benefits.
Jean NaanNovember 24,2023 at 4:07PM UTC
I would ask them about flexibility of hours. Bring it up in a way of asking how to make up hours in order to cover doc, dentist and other appointments that need to be kept during business hours. Put an emphasis on making up those hours when appointments are already scheduled. Good luck.
AnonymousNovember 29,2023 at 8:03PM UTC
You don't share. Taking time off for doctors appointments especially with a doctors note is okay. Breathe and stop letting these employers get the better of you. Find a place big enough that if you are off a day or so there is coverage just in case. Good luck!