Applying for job while on the list

[Deanne]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in the jobs board. It's to do with how to handle interviewing for a new job while on the list. I'm mostly just thinking outloud/online, but opinions are always welcome!

Background:

I posted earlier that my work group is undergoing a shake-up. My manager (SB) is moving to a different group. For a while, we weren't sure if we would all still have jobs afterward. It looks like for now at least, our jobs are safe and we're just being shuffled around a bit. However, the guy who's over all of us (CL) has a bad reputation. SB provided a good buffer against him, but SB was very unhappy reporting to CL. SB spent the last couple of years trying to get us migrated to database publishing, before CL joined the picture. CL does not want us in database publishing and it sounds like he will try to shut it down for this team. CL also blatently told us in a meeting that if we care about our careers, we shouldn't be paying so much attention to the labor laws that state we need to accurately report our time. I can't imagine what he'd say/do if/when he finds out I'm on a transplant list. Lucklily he works in a different state, so I don't need to interact with him personally very often, but I still feel a bit threatened.

On to today....

Last week, someone else on my team pointed out a job opening on a different team that she said would be perfect for me. The new job is all database publishing. I wouldn't need to return to the "old" ways due to a manager who wants us to remain in the dark ages. The new team is small and one of the people on that team was formerly on the team I'm on now, giving me a possible "in" to the group. Since database publishing is relatively new here, I'm one of the few people here know it at all. The applicant pool will be very small. I pointed out the opening to SB on Friday and he said I'd likely be a top candidate. SB apparently showed the opening to JP (the guy who is taking over as my manager) because JP also just sent me an IM that sounds like he's also encouraging me to apply.

I'm also 17 months into the transplant list with a PRA of 0 in a state that has an average wait time of two years. The hospital said I'll likely be called for transplant in the fall, but we all know how that can go. Maybe it'll be today, maybe it'll be a year from now. Assuming I'd get the new job, It would probably take a month or two before I'd be in the new job, then just a couple months later until I'd be on medical leave for a month, assuming no complications. I'm a bit clueless about how to handle this topic in an interview. Ben, the guy who used to be on my team and is now in the other group, knows I'm on the list and sometimes asks now I'm doing. I don't know the manager of the new team very well. She doesn't know I'm on the list unless Ben said something to her. I guess I'll bring it up in the interview, assuming I get an interview, and not say anything about it until then.

Wish me luck!

[Joe]

Deanne, I wouldn't bring it up in the interview unless you are asked. It appears that you have not been keeping the fact that you are on dialysis a secret, and being on the list kind of goes along with that.

JMHO-YMMV

[MooseMom]

Joe, Deanne is not on dialysis yet, rather, it looks like she might well be lucky enough to get a pre-emptive tx. 

I am not sure, Deanne, whether this is information you are legally required to share.  No one knows what will happen.  Anyone applying for a new position could be struck down an accident or a sudden illness the very day after starting.  Maybe a new applicant is a frequent skydiver or has some other risky hobby.  If you have a successful tx without complications, you could be back at work within the same timeframe as anyone else who has had abdominal surgery.

Good luck; I'll be really eager to hear how this turns out.  I know your job situation has been stressful for you.

[Deanne]

I just submitted my application. 

Maybe I should ask Ben about it if/when I get an interview. Team members here are usually allowed to give their opinions about new hires and since it's such a small team (three permanent employees, three contractors), it means 1/3 of the team already knows I'm listed. If Ben tells the hiring manager, it could count against me if I don't say anything myself. At the very least, Ben can probably give me an idea of the climate of the new team.

[MooseMom]

Somehow it seems unethical, if not flatly illegal, for one employee to discuss/disclose the medical status of one employee to another employee who is responsible for hiring.

[jeannea]

It is definitely not illegal to hide this. Your medical issues are none of their business. If you get an offer, and only after the offer, then you may need to say something like "I have a doctor appt every month. Can we work around that?" even then you do not need to say what the appt is for. They are not allowed to ask. Look at www.askamanager.com for many similar questions and answers.

When you set up a transplant, go to HR to get the FMLA packet that needs to be filled out. At this point you need to tell your manager you are taking FMLA leave but you still don't have to say why. I waited til my pre-emptive transplant to tell my manager anything. At that point I chose to disclose I was having a transplant. It can help for them to know for when you come back and still have a bazillion appts. Your choice.

It sounds like you are applying for another job within the same company. That's cool. Be careful about switching companies. You must work for them a certain number of hours before you are eligible for FMLA.

I went through this in 1998. You actually have better protections now.

As for MooseMom's moral concerns, I would agree except there is so much retaliation these days. They can try to push you out before you take leave. Things are vicious out there.

[jbeany]

They aren't allowed to ask any health questions at all.  If you choose to be open about, that's fine.  I have at some interviews, and haven't at others, depending on how the interview seemed to be going.

[Deanne]

Thanks for all of your advice! I think I'll keep my mouth shut unless circumstances point me to say anything, like if I get the job and am asked if I have plans to take time off - a pretty common question in the summer to make sure we have coverage plans in place.

[MooseMom]

Jbeany makes a good point.  Perhaps you should trust your instincts.  You will have a good idea how the interview is going.

[jbeany]

Maybe I should point out that the job interview that got me my current job (which I love!) was a full-out life story - dialysis, transplant, back to school for something completely different than what I had done because I knew I couldn't do a job involving physical labor again if my kidney eventually failed, on disability and Ticket to Work, single, no kids, the whole enchilada!

[geoffcamp]

AWESOME!!!  Good luck. I agree do not say anything about any health issues. They can not ask or base their decision based on any of that. In the states it is illegal for them to ask. Sometimes they will want a physical done but the doctor is limited to just saying that you are able to do the job requirements. It's called HIPPA I'm sure you have heard of it. But if I were you I'd play it safe and would never disclose that you are on dialysis. Only thing that matters is if your qualified for the position and are able to meet requirements such as lifting up to 20lbs etc. all of which I'm sure you can and would have no issue doing. Just read the job description it should tell you about ALL requirements including physical. CHEERS!!