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MCTD- post recent diagnosis. How to manage with employer?

Posted by Deedee @deedee4, Dec 19, 2024

I was recently diagnosed with MCTD (Sept) after having numerous tests done and have seen rheumatologist twice. This last time he increased my dose of hydroxychloroquine from 200 mg once daily to twice daily.
My primary issues are stomach issues (can control with diet and supplements ) but my main concern is brain fog and fatigue. I’ve worked in the Pharma industry for over 30 years and have always been sharp and on point with my job. Since the pandemic that seemed to change and I lost my job in 2020, contracted work for a couple years then found another perm job managing 4 people. Now it seems difficult to keep up with the work, especially still learning the new and albeit complicated processes and systems of a still relatively new company. Boss eluded this week that I’m not performing as well as I should be and asked me to think about what I can do next year to get up to ‘standard’. This was a recurrent theme from 2020 before I was let go. Do I tell my boss my recent diagnosis or talk to HR first ? I’m not sure how to proceed ? I feel like I can do the job but more slowly than others and may not be able to handle the more complex projects. Also stress exacerbates the problem - I talked to a friend of mine and she thinks I need a less stressful job but those are hard to find in my field and I do still want to work even PT if possible. I can’t quit my job yet as I’m still supporting my 24 yr old son until he can get financially independent (he just graduated from college). I am 55 years old. I’ve also been on the estrogen patch (.075 or .1mg) for about a year, which has seemed to help minimally so I’m feeling like the brain fog is not related to hormones but not entirely sure. Let me know what you think I should do.

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Teri | @tsc | Dec 20, 2024

Hi deedee,
You have a disability and can request a reasonable accommodation from your employer under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Here is a fact sheet on Reasonable Accommodations:
https://adata.org/factsheet/reasonable-accommodations-workplace
Does your company have a policy or procedure regarding accommodating employees with disabilities? It's a good idea to look into that. Also, there may be someone in HR who is responsible to manage ADA/disability issues in the workplace.
There is also an organization, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) that provides valuable guidance for both employees and employers. When I was an ADA Coordinator, I consulted with JAN frequently.
https://askjan.org/
JAN even has counselors on site you can talk to.
If the company you work for has less than 15 employees, it is not covered by the ADA, your state may have a disability law that covers smaller employers.
My suggestion is do your research so you know what your rights are. Also, be sure to document all your steps in the process of requesting a reasonable accommodation. It will help if you have to go outside your organization for assistance, etc.
I hope that helps and I wish you the best!
Teri

REPLY
2 replies
Deedee | @deedee4 | Dec 20, 2024
In reply to @tsc "Hi deedee, You have a disability and can request a reasonable accommodation from your employer under..." + (show)
@tsc

Hi deedee,
You have a disability and can request a reasonable accommodation from your employer under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Here is a fact sheet on Reasonable Accommodations:
https://adata.org/factsheet/reasonable-accommodations-workplace
Does your company have a policy or procedure regarding accommodating employees with disabilities? It's a good idea to look into that. Also, there may be someone in HR who is responsible to manage ADA/disability issues in the workplace.
There is also an organization, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) that provides valuable guidance for both employees and employers. When I was an ADA Coordinator, I consulted with JAN frequently.
https://askjan.org/
JAN even has counselors on site you can talk to.
If the company you work for has less than 15 employees, it is not covered by the ADA, your state may have a disability law that covers smaller employers.
My suggestion is do your research so you know what your rights are. Also, be sure to document all your steps in the process of requesting a reasonable accommodation. It will help if you have to go outside your organization for assistance, etc.
I hope that helps and I wish you the best!
Teri

Jump to this post

Thanks. I will check this out

REPLY
Deedee | @deedee4 | Feb 19 11:41am
In reply to @tsc "Hi deedee, You have a disability and can request a reasonable accommodation from your employer under..." + (show)
@tsc

Hi deedee,
You have a disability and can request a reasonable accommodation from your employer under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Here is a fact sheet on Reasonable Accommodations:
https://adata.org/factsheet/reasonable-accommodations-workplace
Does your company have a policy or procedure regarding accommodating employees with disabilities? It's a good idea to look into that. Also, there may be someone in HR who is responsible to manage ADA/disability issues in the workplace.
There is also an organization, the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) that provides valuable guidance for both employees and employers. When I was an ADA Coordinator, I consulted with JAN frequently.
https://askjan.org/
JAN even has counselors on site you can talk to.
If the company you work for has less than 15 employees, it is not covered by the ADA, your state may have a disability law that covers smaller employers.
My suggestion is do your research so you know what your rights are. Also, be sure to document all your steps in the process of requesting a reasonable accommodation. It will help if you have to go outside your organization for assistance, etc.
I hope that helps and I wish you the best!
Teri

Jump to this post

I have been approved for intermittent fmla for 2 days a week if needed through July and my GP was involved with approving that. My rheumatologist didn’t seem to believe that it or why my brain fog would be so bad that i would have a hard time working:-/ so I take off for appointments and if I don’t feel well. But beyond that I’m not sure what accommodations to request. Any ideas ? I’m already working remote so having reduced hours or more breaks maybe ?

REPLY
Teri | @tsc | Feb 19 1:02pm

Hi @deedee4,
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) has a free helpline that operates on Eastern Standard time.
You can call 1-800-526-7234 and discuss your current situation with a trained counselor who will be able to assist you with requesting reasonable accommodations.

I also did a search on perplexity.ai and got some suggestions. Here's the link:
https://www.perplexity.ai/search/what-are-some-reasonable-accom-YALE.priTQGJ6omUoAVLhw
I hope this helps.

REPLY
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