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LookingforAnswers15

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LookingforAnswers15 Enthusiast
LookingforAnswers15
Posted

Hi, i have a question regarding looking for a job. This is the first time that I am applying since being diagnosed and I am not sure what to disclose. I was so disappointed that some job applications even ask if an applicant has any "chronic" issues. I feel it is discriminatory. Also, after you are offered a job, you have to have a physical exam. If I understood correctly, getting a job is dependent on this. I am so confused by all this. As you can see from online, I have had a lot of issues but i should be able to work and these positions are administrative, not physical in nature. So, my question is how do I proceed if offered a job? Since I am only diagnosed with celiac as of now, do I just mention that?

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Ender Apprentice
Ender
Posted

You don't say what country you are from. In the US, that would be illegal.

AmberJ Rookie
AmberJ
Posted
7 hours ago, LookingforAnswers15 said:

Hi, i have a question regarding looking for a job. This is the first time that I am applying since being diagnosed and I am not sure what to disclose. I was so disappointed that some job applications even ask if an applicant has any "chronic" issues. I feel it is discriminatory. Also, after you are offered a job, you have to have a physical exam. If I understood correctly, getting a job is dependent on this. I am so confused by all this. As you can see from online, I have had a lot of issues but i should be able to work and these positions are administrative, not physical in nature. So, my question is how do I proceed if offered a job? Since I am only diagnosed with celiac as of now, do I just mention that?

Yes, list it under conditions. If you feel comfortable doing so, state that it's just like a food allergy and provide that you will take care of your dietary restrictions and it will not limit your ability to perform the functions of the job.

Darren Apprentice
Darren
Posted

It's not illegal in the US or Canada for employers to have pre-employment medicals but it is illegal for them to ask if you have a disability prior to a job offer. They can only rescind an offer, which must be made prior to the medical by the way, if there is an issue that can't be accommodated to the point of undue hardship for the employer that surfaces in the medical. There's no way a company could assert that celiac creates an undue hardship for them to accommodate, when what you eat has nothing to do with any job. You'll be fine. if you're worried about celiac disease sounding like it might make them nervous just all it gluten allergy but only mention it in the medical not on the application it's none of their business at that stage. It's not really a "chronic issue" anyways, they are probably more worried about bad backs and them getting worse through working and the potential for workers comp issues. I'm an HR leader in Canada so have an idea of what employers can and cannot do...

LookingforAnswers15 Enthusiast
LookingforAnswers15
Posted
  • Author

Hi all,

thanks for your input. I live in one of the less developed countries in Europe. If I state the country I am from and if  any of the doctors or people that know me looked up celiac and this forum, it would not be hard for them to figure out it was me based on my question, stories, test results, etc. (not sure how likely that would be but better safe than sorry)

Anyhow, regarding this question, I just need to accept that things here do not function like they should. I am very familiar with the U.S. employment procedures and I think any HR person from there would be shocked to hear all those illegal questions I was asked. I would have hoped I was asked more about my graduate degrees rather than these illegal questions.  Truth is that I need the money since I am paying for a lot of tests out of the pocket so I accepted the position. I am expected to have a physical exam, no idea what tests it requires...I will see...However, at work, I am not sharing with any of my co-workers that I have celiac. Thanks again.

cyclinglady Grand Master
cyclinglady
Posted

Sounds like a good plan!  ?

LookingforAnswers15 Enthusiast
LookingforAnswers15
Posted
  • Author

Thank you for the support cycling lady.

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blue2220 Newbie
blue2220
Posted

If i were you i would not tell for celiac .Because you are not applying for job where you had to work with gluten

koshjelly Newbie
koshjelly
Posted

Why would an employer need to know you have celiac disease? I bet you people with severe peanut allergies wouldn't write on the application that they have a severe peanut allergy. Keep that to yourself and don't worry about it.

Also congrats on getting the position!

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    • trents
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    • catnapt
      how much gluten do I need to eat before blood tests?

      By catnapt · Posted

      after several years of issues with a para-gland issue, my endo has decided it's a good idea for me to be tested for celiac disease. I am 70 yrs old and stunned to learn that you can get celiac this late in life. I have just gradually stopped eating most foods that contain gluten over the past several years- they just make me feel ill- although I attributed it to other things like bread spiking blood sugar- or to the things I ate *with* the bread or crackers etc   I went to a party in Nov and ate a LOT of a vegan roast made with vital wheat gluten- as well as stuffing, rolls and pie crust... and OMG I was so sick! the pain, the bloating, the gas, the nausea... I didn't think it would ever end (but it did) and I was ready to go the ER but it finally subsided.   I mentioned this to my endo and now she wants me to be tested for celiac after 2 weeks of being on gluten foods. She has kind of flip flopped on how much gluten I should eat, telling me that if the symptoms are severe I can stop. I am eating 2-3 thin slices of bread per day (or english muffins) and wow- it does make me feel awful. But not as bad as when I ate that massive amnt of vital wheat gluten. so I will continue on if I have to... but what bothers me is - if it IS celiac, it seems stupid for lack of a better word, to intentionally cause more damage to my body... but I am also worried, on the other hand, that this is not a long enough challenge to make the blood work results valid.   can you give me any insight into this please?   thank you
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