Advice RE: telling employer about health status

Hi all!

I'm 33 and got an ICD implanted January 2019 because I had a sudden cardiac arrest at work mid-December. Here's the situation - I've generally had a hard time finding work that I'm happy with and "passionate" about. Since my SCA, I've been re-evaluating things quite a bit and thinking to myself "Do more of what makes you happy." My SCA actually happened 1.5 weeks into training for a new job. I was excited because I finally landed a job at a public university (which has been a dream of mine for a while) but it was in the university's Call Centre. I wasn't ecstatic about being on the phone all day, but I figured it would lead to something else within the institution in the future. I'm guaranteed my job (when I want to return) but I don't think I want to return - a mix of reasons: it's part-time, it's a 1.5 hour commute by transit (3 hours/day), I'm still a bit traumatized because my SCA happened there, I'm not super passionate about the role, etc. So now I'm starting to job hunt while I fully recover...

I have a 5-month gap in my resume now (plus I was only in my most recent job for 1.5 weeks so I don't even know if that counts for putting it on my resume). My main question is...

...If you were applying for a job like me, in the interview, would you just go ahead and tell them about the SCA and how it has changed your perspective on life/work? (Assuming they will ask why I have a 5-month gap on my resume). Or would you be more vague and just tell them you've been taking some time off (and not mention anything health-related whatsoever)?

And I guess generally, my question is...how many of you tell your employers about your health status (and how much do you tell them)?

Thank you so much for your help!

4 Comments

tough one

by Tracey_E - 2019-04-19 22:05:55

I generally would not bring up my health unless it was relevant to the job because it's none of their business and also because it can cause them to be biased against us. That's illegal, but it still happens. However, if it explains the gap on the resume and change of direction, you might want to talk about it if they ask. You are a survivor and a fighter, that's a good quality in an employee. Good luck!

If it was me in UK ...

by LondonAndy - 2019-04-20 11:45:59

... Tracey_E is right, it can count against us, but you are right that a 5 month gap is likely to need an explanation.  I am usually an interviewer, and if someone I am interviewing for a job is vague about a gap I am suspicious, but it is not necessarily a dealbreaker.  So either you need to come up with a really good reason or just be honest, and turn it into a positive.  Honesty is a valuable trait, and what you have said here would make me as an interviewer at the university feel good - you are giving up a guranteed job to do something you will enjoy more, and that makes for a productive employee.  If you can say you have also made some changes to your life that means you are less likely to have a heart attack again that would help reassure them too I think.

info

by ROBO Pop - 2019-04-20 13:19:09

Don't volunteer unsolicited information, but don't lie. And be prepared with a note from the Cardiologist releasing you to work just in case

Really tough one!

by AgentX86 - 2019-04-20 23:27:59

Tracey has that nailed.

My employer knows all about my heart condition and I've been keeping my manager up to date as things change.  They cut me slack because of it.  FOur years I was in cardiac rehab, three days a week for twelve weeks.  No problem - the boss was all for it. Basically, if I have to go see a doctor, or whatever, it's all good.

Your situation isquite different, though. I'm classified as a professional (salaried).  You do work for a public university so you're really in a pretty good position too. If I were you, I'd go back to your current job and stay there for at least a year.  Tough to do, I'm sure, but it'll get rid of any "holes" in your resume. If you're fully recovered, so that you can do a good job, you can turn a bad situation into a big positive.  You also have your foot in the door.  After that year, they'll probably be willing to work with you to move out and up into something better.  A year goe pretty fast (any more, an unfornutate reality ;-),

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The experience of having a couple of lengths of wire fed into your heart muscle and an electronic 'box' tucked under the skin is not an insignificant event, but you will survive.