If you had a spinal cord injury and were ready to go back to work, would you tell your employer (or go back to work early)?

SGT Elizabeth Elliott — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 14:11:19 -0400

Response by SGT Elizabeth Elliott made Apr 2 at 2017 3:39 PM

SGT Elizabeth Elliott — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 15:39:32 -0400

The intial question was should I tell an anticipated employer that I have a disability. Some have said yes some has said no. I have a spinal cord injury and i am afraid if I dont tell them, something may arise from the injury in the future. Then the employer may get mad or fire me. What I am currently dealing with is employers not wanting to hire me because of the injury

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Apr 2 at 2017 5:25 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 17:25:20 -0400

Were you injured on a civilian job or is this left over from a military injury? It could get complicated if you injured yourself on a civilian job so that it aggravated an old military injury. Would it be a workers' comp claim or a continuation of a military injury. A civilian employer will not let you return to full duty until you have been 'cleared' by the civilian doc who treated you for an on or off the job injury in the civilian world. Really complicated bag without knowing all the details of your particular situation. Pls do not put yourself at risk by coming back to soon for any reason..

Response by CPO Bill Penrod made Apr 2 at 2017 9:10 PM

CPO Bill Penrod — Sun, 02 Apr 2017 21:10:17 -0400

Follow your doctors orders to the tee.............

Response by SGT David T. made Apr 3 at 2017 8:44 AM

SGT David T. — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 08:44:00 -0400

It all depends on the job. If it is a desk job and no physical tasks are indicated in the posting, then there is no reason to mention it. If later it becomes relevant then inform them and request a reasonable accommodation. There are certain things that will prompt an anxiety attack for me. Most of the time it isn't an issue because I can avoid it so I don't mention it. If it does come up that's when I inform management about it. Working for the federal government, they tend to be a little more accommodating than most civilian employers (so I hear), so its not much of an issue.

Response by CPO Bill Penrod made Apr 3 at 2017 10:10 AM

CPO Bill Penrod — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 10:10:36 -0400

Catch 22. I wouldn't disclose you injury until your interview. Let them look you square in your eyes saying we aren't hiring you...................

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Apr 3 at 2017 11:12 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 11:12:53 -0400

Elizabeth - I'm sorry to hear about your SCI. Of course I guess the important question is how severe is it, and is it degenerating? I have non SCI spinal injuries that continue to degenerate, leaving me in untenable pain and on permanent disability. You look rather young to go out on permanent disability.

However, probably the paramount thing for you is to protect your spine so that your SCI doesn't leave you paralyzed if you aren't currently. So you would need to find work that won't risk further injury. I think, given the Federal Government push to hire (especially combat) disabled veterans, that Federal employment, such as at the VA might be the appropriate avenue. Then you can be up front about your SCI, and take a job that minimizes further risk to you.

If you would like to talk more, please pm me.

Response by GySgt Bill Smith made Apr 3 at 2017 11:32 AM

GySgt Bill Smith — Mon, 03 Apr 2017 11:32:05 -0400

If they were to not hire you because of a disability that would be illegal. Companies actually get a tax relief for hiring veterans with disabilities.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2017 9:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 21:22:41 -0400

I would just go back to work, if I was cleared and felt fine its not my bosses business what happens outside the walls of his establishment.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Apr 6 at 2017 11:37 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 23:37:29 -0400

If I am already employed, I'll let them now. When looking for a job I ask for Flexible Work. I dont tell them it is for self care/pain management ect. As long as I do my job well, they wont mind.

I hope you heal and that you are able to work within your limits Elizabeth.