I think it depends on how much you want to reveal, what your relationship is with your coworkers and management, and what your work environment is like. Because I know that in some companies, if it seems like you are going to be out a lot, that shows weakness. Fair or not, that's how it is.

I've not missed a whole lot of time from work due to my UC, but some of my coworkers are aware that I have it. These are people that I know pretty well and feel compelled to discuss that angle of my life. Otherwise, I don't talk about it a whole lot. I think you don't have to reveal anything to anyone if you don't want to. I mean, there are so many privacy issues that well trained management will not be so intrusive.

If you're concerned how you'll be perceived, just say you it's rather private, but that you're much better now and leave it at that.

I was lucky, I have been at the same job for almost 13 years now. When I first got sick last year, my bosses knew what was going on, and they were very supportive. I wound up having to take 13 weeks off because I did not have insurance and almost died before the hospital would do anything. Even though my bosses knew, they did not tell everyone else, just that I was sick and left it up to me how much I wanted to tell everyone. I guess it depends on what kind of job that you have and whether or not you can depend on your boss being understanding. If you have not been there too long I would not tell them too much, just that you were sick and are feeling better now. You will have to judge for yourself. I am happy that my bosses know, just in case I get sick again. There has also been a few times when I had to leave early because I could not stay out of the bathroom. It all depends on your situation. Good Luck!!!

It's really up to you... When you mention Ulcerative Colitis or Crohns
some may say What's that? You can fill them in if you wish... depending on your level of privacy wished for... But just stating that it is an intestinal disease most people may not wish to hear anything more other than how are you doing? Are you going to be ok?
I can remember my boss asking me out of curiosity - I knew he didn't understand much so I left it pretty simple. (But I don't think that it is wise to have your whole guts explained to everyone...) Good luck with your health!

Just be honest and tell them what you have. There is nothing to hide. Have a few website links for them to explain the disease. Hope you feel better.

Thanks for the posts they will be very helpful. It's tricky on my job even though I ave been there 11 years because its very political. Still not looking forward to Monday though.

I TOTALLY understand this. It's not so much that you feel you have something to hide out of embarrassment. That may be a small part of it, but that's not really all of it. You just don't want to be perceived as not being able to work to the highest level. Sometimes, if people think you can't, then they'll find someone who will. I see it all the time. So, I think it's wise to show a little discretion at first and feel things out. That's me though.

Good luck!

I agree with rmb. A lot of what people think about how well you work is preception rather than observation. Leave words like "chronic" and "flare-up" at home and just say "colitis" and "all better now." For all you know, you'll might never have to take another medical leave as long as you work there. No need to worry the bosses about it until it happens.

I agree with everything that the others said.But I always think of this as a way to educate people. A woman that I've known for several years (before I got sick) has recently started working with me. She asked today and I told her that I have inflamation of the entire digestive system.

I think that my case may be a bit different, more people here know a little about Crohn's because our NFL quarterback (David Gerrard of the Jacksonville Jaguars) has Crohn's and is our honorary chair of the local Take Steps event in town. David has been outspoken about his disease to help educate more people about IBD.

Good luck to you and don't worry, things will come out as time goes on, for me, I would want my coworkers to know that if I have to excuse myself, it means NOW!

All great thoughts and avice, it's tough and there is no easy answer. While many I work with are Sypethetic and supportive. Perception of having a chronic illness limits what people think I am capable of on the job. I work NYC and for all the worldly knowledge New Yorkers think they have they are largely clueless about IBD. I believe the thing to do is not give anymore information then is neccessary, Bifocaled has the right atitude, maybe I will never need to take another leave! Thank you all for taking thje time to help me through this.

If you're on your employer's health care plan your boss is probably going to find out your medical issues anyway.Still , I wouldn't volunteer any information about any chronic medical conditions, unless you are going to them to request some type of accomodation in the workplace ,or if you are returning with some restrictions ordered by your physician.

"I needed to have some tests done." and maybe "The tests showed some inflammation that is better now" is about as much as they need.

I agree with you that garnering support when we go through what you are going through is essential. But use great caution if you need to divulge a chronic medical condition to anyone in the workplace. I've been a manager and I agree with RMB and Bifocaled.

Highly political workplaces are such minefields! A lot of bosses are not kind when they find that an employee on their staff has something which is going to cause them to take medical leaves, may need more expensive health care,ect.In fact it is sometimes whispered from administrators to managers,"This person is pretty expensive to have on your staff."

They are breaking state and federal laws if your colitis is a disability and they don't provide reasonable accomodations in the workplace, but in the real world ugly things happen .

Could the support that you are certainly entitled to come from friends from outside the workplace? From family?From a support group?While you probably have friends at work who are supportive, workplaces also have gossips eavesdropping on your conversations, and then running off to talk to a lot of other people about their version of your illness like it was the hot news scoop of the day.
Good luck

Actually, HIPPA regs forbid insurance companies from giving employers information about our medical conditions unless we permit it. So what you don't tell, remains your business at work.

In the US, there are some states that permit , as part of their state insurance code, employers to obtain once a year or at renewal, claims data /costs on their employees. But these types of laws usually only apply to large employer groups (50 or more, or a 100 or more, depending on the state) AND the claims data is general, and not itemized out by employee so that you can tell which employee had high claims, or specific claims. So, there are no HIPAA violations that way, plus it's just general utilization information being provided.

I agree with bifocaled that insurance carriers aren't just spilling personal health information to employers or plan administrators given the HIPAA privacy environment. If they are, I'd suggest getting a lawyer .

Just finshed my first week back at work and it was fine. Some questions which I simply replied I am much better, thank you. My Boss knows the whole ordeal but is very supportive.. for now. Had to come in 3 hours late on Thursday for a Remicade iV but due to the snow that day half the office was late or not even in so it went largely unnoticed. Thanks for all your advice