Fibromyalgia Support Group

You're not alone in your pain. Fibromyalgia is a condition that can be difficult to diagnose and manage. If you're trying to cope with pain throughout your body, sleep problems, general fatigue, or other common fibromyalgia symptoms, you're in the right place. The community is here for you to talk about therapies and share your challenges.

4,403 Members
50,125 Posts
0 Online
Muscles & Bones
/ Fibromyalgia Support Group

Job Interview

jrk1288
jrk1288
So after an awkward 22 minute "phone interview" with a practice owner (they usually don't do their own interviews) that I was completely unprepared for and during which I had to yell at my kitten for trying to eat my lunch that I was packing, I have an interview for a vet tech position next Wednesday. I'm having some serious mixed emotions. A job interview is good because it's a potential escape from my current vet tech job which is teeming with drama and management issues, among other things, and it could mean enough hours to actually be able to pay bills (my hours were cut at my current job which is costing me $450/month and putting me in a godawful financial situation). It's bad because I have Fibro and I'm not sure if they would hire me if I tell them...and if they do, whether I can handle the extra weekly shift. So my main question is this...do I tell them during the interview that I have Fibro, or do I wait until I'm hired somewhere? Or do I not tell them at all? I almost feel unethical not telling them (false advertising, much?), but at the same time I don't want to hurt my chances...I really need something and this is one of two places I found that were less than 45 minutes from where I live. Any words of wisdom or encouragement are appreciated!!
ItsJustMe2012
ItsJustMe2012
When you fill out an employment application, you swear that everything is true to the best of your knowledge. If you lie or are not honest, it is grounds for immediate termination.
AnnNY
AnnNY
Is it legal to ask health questions?
Christine1976
Christine1976
You don't ever have to tell them off you don't want to....your medical/health things are private and up to you to share or not. Now if they ask can you physically do this job and you say you can when you can't...then that isn't being truthful.
I'm pretty open with my employers about my two conditions but I've never taken a day off because of them so it's not really an issue.
PeaceN2You
PeaceN2You
No they can't ask health questions. A company that has legitimate physical requirements can make a job offer contingent on passing a physical, but they can't ask about your health pre-hire, and you shouldn't volunteer the information any more than you would divulge your religion or who you voted for in the last election. It's private.

More than that, they don't want to know, because knowing leaves them open to a charge of discrimination if they don't hire you.
ItsJustMe2012
ItsJustMe2012
Let me out it another way. You need to be sure you can do the jobs and work the hours they are hiring you to do. There are always loop holes and there is usually a probationary period.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I don't think that you should worry to much about telling them. There's no way you'll know how you'll handle it until you are in the job.
Maybe by having a job that's closer to home and helps with the financial strain you'll have less flares due to less stress, driving etc.

Yes it's good to be honest. But as most of us with Fibro know we can have good days/weeks/months as well as bad days/weeks/months. It's also not lying because you don't know exactly how it will be for you.
Like I said maybe some of the stress reduction will even help?

I wish you all the best! Good luck to you!!!!!
jrk1288
jrk1288
Thanks everyone! I know they can't specifically ask about existing health conditions, just if I'm able to do the job, which I am, it's just not comfortable. But working with animals is the only thing I've ever wanted to do and the only thing I have training in-so not many other options. I really wish I could find something even closer, this one is 25 minutes away, but it was the closest job opening I could find to where I live. The consensus seems to be that I shouldn't tell them right away...so I guess that's what I'll do. Hopefully this will work out...the stress from my current job and finances (along with all the other crazy stuff I'm dealing with) is really putting me in a lot of pain..
deleted_user
deleted_user
I am in the process of job hunting and I'm not going to tell I have it , I am only going to apply for the jobs I can do . So if you think you can handle it go for it and congratulations ! :)