Interviews and Jobs | Arthritis Information

Hi,

I'm sure this topic has come up many times. Unless you knew to look for specific signs on my hands, you probably wouldn't know I suffer from an illness. I could easily get away with an interview w/o revealing RA. The only thing is the 2+ year gap in employment. The problem is I know I'm not who I was prior to this illness. I still have pain and limitations, but maybe I could get by w/o it affecting work.

My questions are:

1. Do you reveal RA during the interview process? (I'm thinking I won't get hired if I do)

2. What are good jobs for people w/ RA?

Also, I had read that there are companies who have gov't contracts who are required to look for people w/ disabilities. Have any of you heard of this, and would RA be considered a disability for this purpose?

Thank you,

Nori

Hi Nori. I think that if your RA won't effect your job performance, why tell them? It's not their business. But if it will, I think it's right to let them know.

I don't know anything about the government jobs you asked about. Sorry. Do you have an interview coming up?

Hi Linncon,

No interview yet, but I'm working w/ an occupational therapist and taking lots of meds (including enbrel), so I hope to start work soon. I used to be a recruiter. I have observed that the 'lower level' jobs actually are more labor intensive. So I would like to stay at the same level. But with the poor US economy, a recruiting position will be tough to find.

I don't know if I can handle a full time job at the level I worked 3 years ago. I struggle with so much around the house!!! Even typing is difficult. I don't want to reveal my illness to a potential employer. Why would they hire me over someone else? I at least want a chance to try. I was a very good/harder worker b4 getting sick. Maybe I can be worth it again.

Are you working?

Nori

Yeah, but I only work a few hours in the am 4 days a week for my brother. Some days I can't go in because of the RA and he and my SIL are very cool about it. Job security is working for your big brother :) Course, I can't ever quit, so it works out for both of us!I just got a new job and there was one question regarding health. The question was whether I had any physical problem that would affect my job. As my job is mainly reception and a bit of admin and filing, I said no. If my job involved any lifting or long periods of standing or lots of walking, I would have had to say yes. My general health is fairly good and I haven't had any MAJOR flares for a while (even then I can usually function). I may mention the fact that I have RA if anyone asks me anything specific, but I don't mention it in an interview. I am however upfront when I need surgery. I took this job knowing that I needed surgery and I told my employer that I would need a few weeks off shortly after I started and they were OK with that. I will be needed more surgery in a couple of months so will have to approach that when the time comes. I'm only going to be working 5 days a fortnight so if I have to take a month off I will only miss 10 days all up. They have casual girls to fill in so it shouldn't be a problem. The only thing is that I won't have built up any sick time so I won't get any pay, but that's OK.Pammy416, thank you for your feedback. Did you tell them why you needed surgery? Was the surgery related to RA? Have you had the surgery? If so, how did it go?

Nori

I would not reveal a thing. If they ask directly, I would answer honestly. Look at it this way, you would not tell them you are having your period if you were. If you think you can do the job-go for it. Nori: I had to have a bursectomy on my left hip. It was arthritis related but I didn't say so. I just said I needed hip surgery. They said OK. The surgery went really well and I went back to work today for the first day. I feel much better thanks. I was actually meant to go back to work 2 weeks ago but the day I was to go back I ended up in hospital with gastro for 9 days. They have been very understanding. There is no way I would NOT tell a new employer that I had a problem that would affect my job. Like I said if my job included lifting or standing I would have mentioned that it could cause problems.

Catnip: I don't really think you can compare having RA to having your period. RA is something that can seriously affect your life and how you live it and how you perform your duties and if it will you really have to say something about it. If it doesn't affect your ability to perform then don't mention it.

This is all good feedback. For me, I'm not 100% sure WHAT I can handle. But if asked if I could do heavy lifting I would say no. If it was a job that required a good bit of OT, it probably wouldn't be a good fit b/c I would need to rest.

I got fitted for those metal splints yesterday. I hope they will help w/ typing. I have been told two fingers have 'stretched ligaments.' They are definitely weak and stiff. It has been over 2 years since I have been able to make a real fist w/ my right/dominant hand.

Nori