My thoughts are that one of the worst times to tell them is when you’ve just gone off sick and you can’t avoid telling them. It doesn’t give a positive impression of you, and maybe cause problems further down the line.
I have epilepsy, which was diagnosed in 1998. My MS was only diagnosed 5 years ago. I have applied for jobs and not menioned my epilepsy during the application process, but did talk to HR about it after I had the job offer and before I officially accepted it. Then I’ve covered my own back myself by disclosing it to the people who needed to know. I only mentioned it to my manager when I felt happy to do that. You should see the look of shock I got from one boss when I mentioned the word ‘epilepsy’! At least MS has people confused…
I made light of how epilepsy affects, without lying or giving a false impression. I am lucky enough to be able to say I’ve not had a seizure for over 10 and intend to keep taking the tablets to keep it that way. Of course, now I am not able to work thanks to my MS and haven’t needed to mention as I’ve not changed jobs since I was diagnosed. I’ve probably had it since at lease 1981 so it’s been a long time without me having to face it even when I knew it was a possibility.
An interesting point and slight deviation, what if you accept a job knowing you are pregnant and go off on Mat leave within the first 4 months, say, of accepting the job. The Employer still has to honour the employee’s status and appointments. Just playing devil’s advocat as Male and have three teenage children but work with colleagues who have used this tactic.
Yes - that is annoying from an employer’s point of view but the rules regarding pregnancy are very tight…probably because there are more pregnant women than people with disabilities.
Society values people having kids over people having disabilities.
Some employers only want to employ ideal people who are never ill and take any time off work. And, in my experience, do lots of unpaid overtime and have someone available to keep the household running. A housewife, essentially. My current employer expects parents to want to see their kids and enjoy their company. And that people who aren’t physically perfect can be as big an asset to the company as anyone else. I have worked for companies at the other end of the spectrum.
I think attitudes to working women who have babies is changing because there are more women with children, or who want children, in positions of power.