Re: Discrimination

[Guest guest]

Does anyone know if not hiring someone because they have PSC is considered

discrimination? My husband went on a job interview and up until the guy (an

acquaintance of his) found out that he had a liver disease, he was told that

the job was basically a sure thing. Now the guy is balking and saying he has

some " thinking " to do.

My husband is in the early stages of the disease and up until last year had

been reimbursed at the end of the year for unused sick time. Last year he

did use all his sick days, but didn't need any extra. The job he is going

for is with the same parent company that he works for now (has been with this

company for 10 years), but is a different sub company. He has an excellent

work record and comes highly recommended. He has no limitations etc. It

could just be an odd coincidence that the guy is balking on the job after

finding out about his PSC. I guess maybe it's partially my husband's fault

because he is very open about the disease and doesn't mind talking about it.

What makes the situation unusual is that under normal cirmcumstances he

probably wouldn't haven't even mentioned it, but since he had worked with

this guy in the past and is friends with his brother, he was a little more

open about it.

Thanks.

[Guest guest]

I have been in a similar situation, although I am the caregiver. I am in a

business where everyone knows everyone! What fun! I feel bad for your

husbands situation, that has to be upsetting. I pray they will give him a

chance. But...if there is no proof, he may need to move on. If he does not

get this job, he will need to get an employment agreement for his next job to

protect him. I hate to say this, but tell him to not say a word. As long as

he is capable of working, there is no need for them to know about his

condition if it will not effect his preformance (at this time). Example:

employer had employee with them for 2 years doing a great job, the employer

is not going to fire them if they come down with cancer! If he can work, so

be it!!!! Another senirio.....health ins. cost to employers! There are

millions of ins. companies, who knows how bad the " employer " could get dinged

and effect the benefits of the rest of the employees if someone in the

company had a serious med problem. To finish my speach (haha) I learned the

hard way. Went to interview for a job in my field, I have a great work

reputation, knew the person hiring...but that person knew of my husbands

situation. Didnt get the job, go figure. I know that they thought I would

miss work all the time (which I dont) worried about ins., etc. So I went to

a place where no one knew my family situation! My husband was upset, he

said, NEVER tell a potential employer about me (which I didnt, they knew

already). End of story

[Guest guest]

My husband Mitch had a big job offer 6 months ago. We wrestled with the

ethics of not telling or telling his future employer. We decided it would be

not in his best interest to tell as he felt fine. THe only illness (other

than legal dissabilities ) is AIDS. Aids is now covered as a " dissability " . I

am sure you can find out if any other diseases are covered in the federal

governments web sites. Unfortunately, most people think of liver disease as

alchohol induced. ie: you gave it to yourself. My husband and I are very

careful about how we explain his disease and always include it is not

alchohol related. Of course, people are going to think all kinds of weird

things when you say liver disease. Most people don't have a clue about what

you are talking about. Should you tell if you have aids, heartburn,

headaches, the list could go on forever! The only way you can get insurance

in this country is to keep working! My husband has tried to go out on his on

to work as a consultant and was turned down by all insurance companies when

he tried to get individual coverage. So don't even think about telling

because you will so screw yourself. Until our insurance woes are straigtened

out in the USA then most people will have to continue to hide their medical

problems from employers, this is just the awful truth. Just try to get

insurance on your own after having this disease. It is a disgrace that my

husband who has never used the insurance until now, will be denied future

coverage now that he needs them. (unless of course you go to a large group

coverage, which means you will have to work even when you don't feel like it

(unless the well spouse has got you covered under his/her plan.) So if you

are single, then you could really be screwed.

[Guest guest]

jkosiorek@... wrote:

>

> Does anyone know if not hiring someone because they have PSC is considered

> discrimination?

Yes, I think it is. As long as his condition doesn't keep him from

performing the job requirements (they're even supposed to make

reasonable accomodations if necessary), then they aren't supposed to

take it into consideration. At least that's how I understand it.

On the other hand it would probably be difficult to prove that's why

they didn't hire him, and even if you could it could end up being a long

court battle. One thing that might be key is whether they specifically

asked him about his health or not. Legally, all an interviewer is

supposed to be able to ask regarding health is whether the candidate has

a condition that would keep them from performing the job requirements.

athan

[Guest guest]

I have read the posts on discrimination. I too feel the need to tell a

potential employer about , simply because I may have to be off work a

lot. Which because of the fact that he is not allowed to drive (due to

seizures) I have to take him to his appointments. Perhaps others don't have

this problem but I do. I think that I missed out on a job because of that

but my current employer knew the situation when they hired me. However, now

that there are changes going on (2 of the Doctors are opening their own

practice) my future here is uncertain. I primarily work in the 2 doctor's

offices that are leaving the practice. And the head honchos haven't figured

out what they are going to do. They don't necessarily have to keep me on and

the other 2 don't necessarily have to hire me on. So, I am on a job hunt

again, probably back in the city, where the pay is better. This means I will

have to move closer in but I WILL NOT live in the city ever again. So do you

all think I should be up front with potential employers or not? Because I am

the driver, caregiver, etc., I feel like I need to tell the truth but I don't

know. Anyway, just wanted some opinions.

Thanks,

Spring

[Guest guest]

I feel you should only protect your family and that means not being upfront

with your future employers. I feel I am a very ethical person and consider

myself having high moral standards. But you must consider the state of our

insurance coverage disaster situation in the USA. Millions of people are

unable to get coverage. THis is the major cause of bankruptcy in the USA.

(the government will lead you to think it is the over spending of greedy

consumers) the fact is having medical bills that you cannot pay r puts more

people in bankruptcy that any other single cause. You cannot sit around

worrying about " the company " . Americans do not realize how bad the insurance

industry has screwed up getting medical care. We prefer to spend our taxes on

the military and other wasteful things, while continuing the march to lesser

medical care than any other major industrialized nation. Even Costa Rica has

better medical care for its people than the USA. You must be looking out for

you, your family and your loved ones, not worrying about being honest with

your employer, . First of all you even utter the word liver disease, without

giving a whole medical course, and companies automactically think alcholol

abuse! You do not want your employer to even go there. So why bother

educating them when you are trying to protect your family, not spend your

time educating people. Spend your energy where you are going to need it, on

your family. This is the moral thing to do: protect your family and loved

ones.

[Guest guest]

I too would feel bad not telling an employer who depends on you to be

there. But I think once they tell you they will hire you -- once the

decision has been made -- than you can say oh by the way I am a care giver

and will need time off once in a while but promise not to take advantage of

you. You have told them the truth and than they can except you or change

their minds. Probably because the decision has been made to hire you they

will stick with it. Barb

Re: Discrimination

>I have read the posts on discrimination. I too feel the need to tell a

>potential employer about , simply because I may have to be off work

a

>lot. Which because of the fact that he is not allowed to drive (due to

>seizures) I have to take him to his appointments. Perhaps others don't

have

>this problem but I do. I think that I missed out on a job because of that

>but my current employer knew the situation when they hired me. However,

now

>that there are changes going on (2 of the Doctors are opening their own

>practice) my future here is uncertain. I primarily work in the 2 doctor's

>offices that are leaving the practice. And the head honchos haven't

figured

>out what they are going to do. They don't necessarily have to keep me on

and

>the other 2 don't necessarily have to hire me on. So, I am on a job hunt

>again, probably back in the city, where the pay is better. This means I

will

>have to move closer in but I WILL NOT live in the city ever again. So do

you

>all think I should be up front with potential employers or not? Because I

am

>the driver, caregiver, etc., I feel like I need to tell the truth but I

don't

>know. Anyway, just wanted some opinions.

>

>Thanks,

>Spring

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well said !!

<I feel you should only protect your family and that means not being upfront

with your future employers.>

I feel that because America is basically run by " corporate " America and they

are the ones getting the big tax breaks, they should foot the bill for our

insurance.

My two cents,

Eileen