Deciding Whether to Disclose Your Chronic Illness at Work

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Sixty percent of Americans are managing at least one chronic health condition, and this number is projected to increase with the rise of long Covid. Deciding whether to disclose your own condition can feel fraught, because traits often associated with leadership (think strength, decisiveness, and resilience) may appear to be at odds with the personal vulnerability that comes with living with a chronic illness. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before making the decision to disclose: 

  • Where am I situated in my current understanding of the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of my condition? 
  • How safe do I feel to disclose my illness? 
  • To what extent is my health impairing my ability to do my job? 
  • What kind of accommodations would support me to continue to work effectively, or do I need to seriously reconsider my capacity to continue in this role?

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