Work and PBC

This is only a question for UK suffers but are you obliged to tell your employer you have PBC. I haven't told mine as so far it hasn't effected my work. Any ideas folks !!!

[LindyRich]

nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2313.aspx?...

You may find all you need to know on the above nhs link.

Basically it's your choice. We are entitled to "patient confidentiality".

Hope this helps

[Lcagar63]

Hi mike if you feel well and don't have loads of days off because you are unwell with pbc and can still do your job well then my answer is no.

[butterflyEi]

Hi Hidden

I think from a previous post you have said that you do not suffer with many symptoms of PBC, if I have remembered that correctly and it is still the case I think that I would not tell an employer until it becomes necessary. Try this link:

personneltoday.com/hr/legal...

I think this company is based in Surrey so it should give you an idea under UK law.

Hope this is of some help

best wishes

P.S. I see LindyRich has also given you a link. I am sure one or other will give you a good answer.

[LindyRich in reply to butterflyEi]

Some thought provoking points in this link. Things i had not even considered.

[CathieG]

Hi. As a manager before retirement last year i had to carry out reviews and supervision. One question i had to complete was around the Equality Act which replaced the Disability discrimination Act. Could be wrong as the old memory fades! Staff were encouraged to disclose issues which could mean that i had to make reasonable adjustments for, for example time off for hospital appointments etc. As my PBC caused brain fog and tiredness i decided it would be better for me to inform my manager. He was great and let me start later in the day because i couldnt wake up after a night of scratching! Its up to you but i know i made the right decision for me. That decision also helped when i later applied for medical retirement and got it. I dont know what your job is but i found occupational health very supportive on the days when i had to call in sick. Only you can make the decision to disclose or not.

[Hidden in reply to CathieG]

Thanks for your informative comments. I only work part time 3 mornings a week. My hospital appts tend to be on days I don't work or afternoon so everything works very smoothly lucky for me !!!!

I intend to take early retirement in about 6 yrs times once I've cleared up some debts. So fingers crossed I'll be fit to work until then

P.s just like to add I've worked in my present role for 17 years and have a good sick record

Mike 😊

[Brummi]

I told my employer out of politeness knowing I would be having at least two days a month off for hospital appointments. I used to do push backs and tow aircraft around Birmingham airport, I kept doing that job so I assume I was not a safety threat. In fact I was treated well.

[Gioielli]

I told my employer and he made it quite clear that he was not prepared to have me as a member of staff. I had been working as a full time teacher at that school for 2 years when he took over. I asked to go part time because of my tiredness after seeing occupational health. He refused this and then systematically bullied and harassed me until I had no option but to take early retirement. Thankfully for my union I got some pay out but nothing compared to what my continued earnings would have been for part time work. I am not unwell enough to claim benefits, am in the years when the state pension increase means I have to wait an extra five and a half years I make do on a small teacher's pension and savings! Would I have told my employer given my time again - definitely NOT!!

[amt50]

Gioielli - your treatment was disgraceful

I also debated for a long time over this and did eventually tell my Manager (back in July 2016) and advised I had no symptoms which was true at the time. After Christmas I went through a bad itching phase and hardly slept so I caved in and had time off work (3 weeks) my Dr put PBC on the sick note so now doubt this will now be on record. I work for a LA so I am expecting to be treated fairly and unless this at some point stops me from doing my job then I do not anticipate any problems.

Having read Gioiellie's post I guess it does need to be considered carefully on an individual basis and depends if managing to cope at work.

Good luck

[Hidden]

Hello essexmike.

Under new guidelines that I cannot remember when they were implemented, you do not have to inform your employer if you have PBC. Part of the Disability Act think I am right in saying.

There is a good website that is in the UK, charity and it focuses on allsorts of information. It's:-

turn2us.org.uk/Your-Situation