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        New Message Board Archives >> Jan-Mar 2004 >> Jobs for Those With CHs?
        
(Message started by: cjkoethc on Jan 10^th, 2004, 12:34pm)

Title: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by cjkoethc on Jan 10^th, 2004, 12:34pm

Hello Everyone. I am a CH Supporter and this is my first post.

My boyfriend has CHs and he lives in Raleigh, NC. He will graduate from NC State in May with a degree in Engineering/Humanities. We have been dating for 3 years and he's wonderful! I have already graduated and I work in the area.

Does anyone have suggestions for types of jobs that are helpful to those with CHs? Also, do you recommend hiding your CH from your co-workers or educating them after you get the job?

I just want to help him as he prepares for a major job search....I know he's worried. Thanks so much!

P.S. If you have any networking opportunities, I'll gladly send his resume. Thanks again!

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Little Deb on Jan 10^th, 2004, 12:40pm

Welcome to the board. Invite your boyfriend to visit this site too. It's addictive and a place that welcomes all CH'rs and supporters.

Little Deb

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by ClusterChuck on Jan 10^th, 2004, 12:42pm

Not sure what to do about the job. I myself do not tell the boss about the condition until I have to. But everyone is different.

You are right here in Raleigh? Have you heard about our get together January 31st? It is great time to meet other clusterheads! We would love to meet the two of you!

Don't be afraid. Our resident axe murderer says that he will be good that weekend!

Come and meet us! It is the most AWESOME time you can imagine! To get to talk to people that REALLY know what you and he are going thru!

Chuck

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Little Deb on Jan 10^th, 2004, 12:45pm

Chuck....now don't scare them away! Why would you tell them about our axe murderer? Let them find out when they get here!!! Ugh! Never judge a murderer by his weapon! Ask jonny!

join us, won't you...little deb ;;D

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by jonny on Jan 10^th, 2004, 12:48pm

Ive been self employed most of my life......ran out of bosses due to my boot lodged in their ass for lack of compasion when it came to my CH ;;D

Actually only did that once.

....................jonny

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Little Deb on Jan 10^th, 2004, 12:57pm

brain....that's because you are a "geek"

no one else would want 30 addresses!

and Chuck...it is NOT that time of the month. But it MIGHT BE when YOU are at MY HOUSE!!!!!

;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;Dlittle deb

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by thomas on Jan 10^th, 2004, 1:01pm

Educate them up-front. I have found that to be the best method...........

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Jayne on Jan 10^th, 2004, 1:19pm

Er... my opinion would be to not tell them until you have your foot in the door. I think it's hard for people to understand our condition. Don't want to freak your potential employer before you have to.

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by t_h_b on Jan 10^th, 2004, 1:21pm

Don't tell them until you have the job. Then educate your boss and co-workers.

Some employers in health care tend to be more understanding of employees with medical problems.

It also helps to have a boss who has headaches. That's the best.

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Little Deb on Jan 10^th, 2004, 1:24pm

I totally agree with Jayne. If they do not directly ask if you have a condition that would interfere with performing your job, save it for education after the fact. Anything that looks iffy, will send the employer straight to another resume. They just don't understand. And they would go for the easy employee that will get the job done, and not be taking sick time, vacation time, lots of doc appts., frequent breaks, med overdoses, EMT visits to the workplace.....blah, blah. There minds will go off if you tell them you have bad "headaches" and that you take medication that may cause you to go be somewhere alone for a short (4hrs) time. Too much for them to handle until you show them your ability to do the job, then TEACH them about your condition. No worker's union to protect you from discrimination for CH yet.

my 2 cents.....little deb

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by FrankF on Jan 10^th, 2004, 2:38pm

on 01/10/04 at 12:34:29, cjkoethc wrote:

I would not tell a popential employer upfront about having CHs. Get the job first, and then educate them if it interferes with work.

I am an electronics hardware design engineer.... 21 years at the same job. I have been hit at work a few times... my boss freaked out and almost called 911 one time. Now when in cycle I keep Imitrex injections at work and have an "E" size O2 tank on my desk. A few people have asked me when they see the O2 tank on my desk if I have emphysema or heart problems. Sometimes I explain CHs to them, most don't understand so I don't bother. I do manage to get up and go to work everyday no matter how much sleep I didn't get the night before, so CH hasn't interfered with my work much except for 30 minutes here or there.

Oh yeah... forgot jobs. Check this out: http://careers.northgrum.com/ExternalHorizonsWeb/query.do?keyword=&stateCode=NC&cityName=selectAll&jobCategoryName=selectAll&specialNoteTypeName=selectAll&sectorName=selectAll

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by cjkoethc on Jan 10^th, 2004, 6:35pm

FrankF, thanks for that link....it's wonderful!

I appreciate everyone's suggestions so far and I'm really excited about this site!

Deb, I'll ask my bf about your get-together in Raleigh and I'll let you know as soon as possible. Thank you for the invitiation.

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by pubgirl on Jan 10^th, 2004, 6:48pm

Hello

I'm a CH sufferer and an HR consultant, and personally I wouldn't tell any employer voluntarily.
Many HR departments, sad to say, will not recruit, or terminate early if they think an employee has a health weakness (provided it can do it without breaching disability legislation)

As an episodic who gets attacked mainly at night, I can keep it hidden.
This advice would probably not apply at all to a chronic sufferer, as that would be pretty impossible to hide.

Good luck with the job hunt, there have been lots of good stories on here about sympathetic employers, but I think mostly some length of service will be needed before the employer will support.

Wendy

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Callico_Kid on Jan 11^th, 2004, 1:33am

Hi cjkoethic! Welcome aboard! Bring your boyfriend along and have him get involved here with you. You will both find more information and support than you will be able to use, but you will enjoy and appreciate.

First priority for you both is to get to Little Deb's house for the get together. You will leave there after meeting other clusterheads and getting to pick their brains about any number of things, and you will have enough knowledge and support behind you to feel confident going out into the work place even with a malady such as CH.

As for whether or not to tell beforehand about CH I would lean toward saying nothing unless asked, but I have been self employed for as long as I have had them. I've tried several times to fire myself for lack of dependability, but the EEOC won't let me! ;;D

Glad you found us.

Jerry

Title: Teach
Post by floridian on Jan 11^th, 2004, 9:12am

Quote:

Does anyone have suggestions for types of jobs that are helpful to those with CHs?

If someone is episodic with headaches in July and August, teaching school can be fit around one's schedule.

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Paigelle on Jan 11^th, 2004, 9:16am

I gotta get job. Can someone give me one please?

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Patrick_A on Jan 11^th, 2004, 10:19am

Don't ever tell them till you have to, remember....Its a pre-existing condition and the company insurance won't cover it if you tell them!

Patrick

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Sean_C on Jan 11^th, 2004, 6:55pm

hmmmmmm.......interesting topic. I kept it a secret for about 4 hours on my first day.......then the stress kicked in and I cracked............I left early and never went back.

Fuck it I said, no one would understand anyway. Been self employed ever since.

Would I tell my boss........I don't think he has a choice, the beast will come out and it could get embarrassing explaining why your telling him to keep fucking quiet and to shut the fucking lights out and to explain why your pacing back and forth squeezing your head so tight it looks like its gonna pop, mumblin weird shit to yourself, while your shaking uncontrollably.........ya the more I think about it........definately fill him in. Better yet if he has any questions tell his boss to come to Clusterville...we'll leave the light on for him ;;D

Wishing you pfdan

Sean

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Tiannia on Jan 12^th, 2004, 1:07pm

Mine started 3 weeks after I started my new job. Well that was 7 months ago. They have yet to see me with a full blown hit, but they have seen the sweats, the shakes, the eye watering and sweeling. They have seen the shortness in temper that will come out even when I am tryingt o be calm.

What I am trying to say is no dont tell them because it is preexisting and you want to be able to be treated for it under the insurance. But male sure that you exducate them . Talk to them about what the doctor is saying to you so that when you get hit, then you have that out. You have that "This is what I have been telling you about"

Tiannia

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Paigelle on Jan 12^th, 2004, 1:10pm

I would like to have a job where I can work from home. I don't want to deal with people in the world anymore. Any ideas?

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Big_Dan on Jan 12^th, 2004, 1:27pm

I'm gunna start using blackmail....

...I’ll go though six keyboards in the process… but I’ll be able to retire by the years end…

… gotta love Meet ‘n Greets… ;;D

-Big Dan

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by Lissa on Jan 12^th, 2004, 2:03pm

cjkoethc....it really depends whether or not your boyfriend is episodic or chronic. From what I've heard, it's very difficult for a chronic to hold a full time job. I can understand that completely. However, I'm episodic and I work full time in a law firm and my clusters have affected my work very little. By bosses are quite flexible though. If I get a headache, I usually hide inside a closet or conference room until it's gone.

In short, it's not impossible for your boyfriend to hold a good full time job if he's episodic.

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by BlueMeanie on Jan 12^th, 2004, 2:13pm

Cjkoethc,

I guess it depends if he is Episodic or Chronic.
I have NEVER told an employer about CH's until after getting the job. They do not understand the condition and will shy away from hiring your boyfriend. It's like you're saying I want to work, but I may have to miss alot of days. Even though he may NEVER miss a day, the person interviewing him may not see it that way.

Just my opinion. Sending PF vibes his way. Hope they end soon.

Title: Re: Jobs for Those With CHs?
Post by BobG on Jan 12^th, 2004, 4:33pm

Keep quiet about your disability until after you have the job. After you know the people around your work place a little you might drop a little hints that you get headaches that may require you to be alone from time to time. Don't go into great detail unless you're asked.

Click the blue below. Print out 5 or 7 copies and keep them handy. If you get hit on the job just hand one to the boss, tell him/her you'll be right back, and walk away.

http://www.ouch-uk.org/ch/note_colleagues.cfm
Simon’s (OUCH/UK) letter to employers and colleages