Common Variable Immunodeficiency Support Group

Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is a group of 20-30 primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) which have a common set of symptoms but with different underlying causes. CVID's underlying causes are different, but the result of these are that the body doesn't produce sufficient antibodies in response to exposure to pathogens.

661 Members

2,972 Posts

0 Online

summerskies 01/28/2015

After thirteen years at my job I'm thinking of making a change. How does CVID affect job changes? Do you disclose to your potential employer that you have CVID? Does it affect your candidacy for new jobs? I'm sure it will tax the insurance of any employer. Just curious if anyone here has experienced a job change after their diagnosis/treatment of CVID. Any thoughts appreciated.

DeniseHB 01/30/2015

I was an Executive Recruiter and a Corporate Recruiting Manager for Fortune 1000 companies for more than 14 years and I just celebrated my 5th anniversary as a Career Coach and Professional Resume Writer. I decided to disclose my illness last year to management due to explaining why I was turning down a management position that required me to travel.

You should not disclose any illness, even though you are protected and it is against the law to disqualify/discriminate against you, unless you need special accommodations to perform your job.

Also, thanks to the new ACA laws Health Insurance companies cannot do anything different than other employees due to your disease.

Companies can increase premiums on employees who smoke.

I hope this is helpful and wishing you a successful career search journey.

Denise

kelli1b 01/30/2015

Do not disclose. Why set yourself up for failure? If you are on optimal treatment, working full time and living a relatively normal life, I dont' see how having CVID would affect your job other than being sick like other people :)

summerskies 01/30/2015

Thanks Denies and Kelli. I didn't think there was a need to disclose, but wanted to double check myself before moving forward.

gliderlove 02/01/2015

I was on the fence about that when I was in the interview process for my current job. I did not disclose throughout any of the pre hire process as I knew I was a good candidate for the position and did not want to take any chances that disclosure would hinder my opportunity. It may be illegal for an employer to discriminate against a disability, but if it were against me and another person equal to my talent with the exception of me having a disability, I know the healthier candidate would be selected. With that said I disclosed very soon after starting the job. I did not give diagnostic info or ANY details, just said that I have a chronic condition that may occasionally affect my attendance. I spend 4-6 weeks in the hospital a year and felt it would be unfair to throw that on them when I was calling out and felt it would be best that there was an understanding early on that I would have time out. It is a very individual decision. If you are fairly healthy, capable of the job, and have minimal sick days...no reason to disclose.

Join the Conversation