Do you tell your company if you have an autoimmune disease?

16 Comments

1. AnonymousJanuary 20,2026 at 11:13AM UTC

   What’s your end goal, the desired outcome one from your employer, in sharing this recent diagnosis if you don’t need an accommodation? If it’s an FYI only, I’d strongly encourage you to resist the urge to share.

2. AnonymousJanuary 20,2026 at 1:13PM UTC

   If nothing has changed for you (job performance, needing extra time off, etc. ), I wouldn't tell them anything. In my opinion, my health is on a need to know basis with my employer.

3. ShannonJanuary 20,2026 at 1:21PM UTC

   If you don't need any accommodation and want or need to continue working, I suggest not saying anything. If you reach a point where you will need to leave to take care of yourself, then you may be able to negotiate some type of package if they lay you off instead of leaving on your own.

4. Christi LopezJanuary 20,2026 at 1:22PM UTC

   I honestly don't know what I would do. You already have the accommodations you need and there's usually a slight concern/risk whenever you divulge medical information to your employer regardless of what the law says (also depending on your union or lack thereof).

   But with the last layoff focused on remote workers, will having accommodations provide some protection in the future? I'd research your employee handbook and any protections medical accommodations might afford you.

5. AnonymousJanuary 20,2026 at 1:28PM UTC

   At this point I see no reason to tell them. For one, I'd worry about "retaliaion" in the form of laying you off in the next round because they fear you'll struggle more in the future and since you're one of the remote workers, they can use that as their reason for laying you off.

   If they do start a RTO thing however, then I would be going to them about accomodations to continue working remotely. I've had to do this with my workplace. Most people there were not aware of my progressive hearing loss due to a genetic disorder. It was certainly there when I went home from the pandemic, but most of the people who were aware are no longer with the company (retired or laid off). At home, no one knows because I have the right kind of hearing devices to hear well in Zoom/Teams meetings.

   But then they decided everyone has to go back to the office 5 days a week so I'm fighting to keep those accomodations. Now they're all aware of it. But only because I needed them to be. If I apply for other remote jobs in the future I won't be telling them of the hearing loss either.

6. AnonymousJanuary 20,2026 at 2:37PM UTC

   I have an autoimmune condition as well. They know as my insulin pump and CGM show and at times beep. I tell those I am around often what it is, and I did tell my company when they asked, but only after verifying it was to classify how many ppl with disabilities we employ (we are a VERY large company). I have never asked for special accommodations, as I can break as needed and have space to keep my medical supplies that I keep in the office - just in case I have to change my pump site or CGM. I know not all employers are as gracious. If you are working and not in a public work space where people may question when you are breaking (not saying it is correct, just being honest) no need. If you get flare ups where you need more time away, then I would file for accommodations to be safe. I wish you good health and the ability to keep working with the new lupus diagnosis.

7. AnonymousJanuary 20,2026 at 2:45PM UTC

   I truly everyone's candor and support, thank you. We're aligned in that I don't think there is a need for them to know. Sometimes I have an overzealous desire to be honest (it doesn't work in my favor much of the time and I've gotten better with my filter with time - I don't know if that is a brain wiring or conditioning thing) and it can interfere with decision-making, hence the question here.

   Appreciate all of you so much. Thank you ?

8. Debbie HarrisJanuary 20,2026 at 5:03PM UTC

   I am the same type of person as you are. Having an overzealous desire to share...I have learned that it can come back and bite you in the a**.

9. AnonymousJanuary 21,2026 at 5:01PM UTC

   Being honest is great. Over sharing to people that don’t love you can be problematic! Right? Also don’t share with your colleagues either. Good luck! And stay healthy.

10. AnonymousJanuary 20,2026 at 3:23PM UTC

    I would not. Who knows what "criteria" (explained to you or not) they use when laying off folks, and ageism becomes very real too depending on the situation. If you think your job may be at risk, I'd start networking and getting your resume out there and ready. Good luck.

11. AnonymousJanuary 21,2026 at 5:24AM UTC

    No, do not mention until/unless you require special accommodations that they are newly mandating.

12. AnonymousJanuary 21,2026 at 1:28PM UTC

    As a Type 1 diabetic, I would never mention this in an interview. Get the job and then tell them later about the accommodations you will need. They may think wrongly that you are a liability in some way. It’s not worth the aggravation. Although having said that, I did once hire someone as a sitter for my kids because she saw my testing supplies and mentioned she too was Type 1. Good luck!

13. AnonymousJanuary 21,2026 at 3:48PM UTC

    I believe that sharing any medical history would put a target on your back. They would simply disguise it as eliminating your role or a sudden drop in performance. To avoid a lawsuit, they might insist on calling you back to the office since allowing remote work even if advised by a doctor is not mandatory by law. It's a choice that a company may consider but decide not to offer.

14. AnonymousJanuary 21,2026 at 4:57PM UTC

    Nope. Not their business. This is between you and your doctor. If an accommodation is needed your doctor will handle it with your employer. If you need time off your doctor will place you on disability. Keep your personal health issues to yourself.

15. AnonymousJanuary 21,2026 at 6:07PM UTC

    While I do lean in your direction and as a fellow WFH'er. I agree that not only being able to move about/work in a place that's comfortable/create a comfy workspace makes it a bit moot and no need to share. Additionally, I'm very private about my life and health information.

    That said, two additional perspectives:

    1) it feels like we're having constant rumblings about return to office. If/when this were to happen, documenting a disability at this time can have bad optics

    2) if/when a performance issue would arise (though unlikely), at that time declaring a disability, can be poorly received.

16. AnonymousJanuary 21,2026 at 6:20PM UTC

    I would definitely speak to your Manager and also HR and let them know about your medical situation. Right now it is not an issue but getting it on the books gives you some protection from getting terminated if there is a layoff. I would also let them know that while this can be a situation where you in future need an accommodation right now you do not need one nor do you expect that it will affect your work.