Step 1 of 12 8% Privacy & ConfidentialityThis decision guide is for YOU – we do not store any of your data. If you are viewing this on a public device or at work, you should know that it may be possible for others to track which websites you’ve visited. If you are concerned about who may see your web browsing history, we recommend completing this decision guide on a more private device at home. If somebody walks in the room while you’re completing this decision guide—and you would prefer privacy—hit the “privacy mode” button. It will take you to a new webpage to hide any answers you may have on your screen. When you’re ready to return to the decision guide, simply click the back button. Feel free to try it now! You can also minimize your web browser to reveal your own desktop if you prefer. How Can a Decision Guide be Helpful? A disclosure decision: is very personal involves your feelings and values can affect other people you care about depends on your job and on your workplace can change over time This decision guide can help you to: think about the things that matter to you in making a decision get information about your rights follow through with your decision to disclose, or not, who to disclose to and how much to disclose, if at all Please proceed through this guide. The guide will help you think about many of the things that are important in making a decision that is the right one for you. The right decision may be to disclose, or it might be not to disclose. We will not collect the answers to your questions. Why is Disclosure a Difficult Decision?Disclosure of your episodic disability to employers and co-workers can be difficult. There are many things to consider. Some people choose to disclose because they don’t mind if people know. Sometimes they need additional support to do their jobs and telling may help them get that support. Other people may not want to disclose because they are concerned that they will be rejected or treated badly. Some people worry that if they tell people at work, their professional relationships could be affected. Disclosure of an episodic disability may be helpful for some people, but not everyone feels this is the right decision for them. Decisions about disclosure are personal and can be difficult. Summary of possible risks and benefits of workplace disclosure Access the bibliography (opens in separate window) Risks You or a family member being stigmatized 1,2,3 Being fired 4,5,6 Being disrespected or treated differently at work. 7,8 Leaving others who may be more vulnerable to stigma to fend for themselves: nothing changes 9,10 Risking being less well liked and well respected, open to public scrutiny 11,12 Benefits Receiving much-needed disability benefits 13 Increasing awareness about episodic disability in the workplace 14 Supporting others who have disclosed through your collectivity 15 Promoting education and better supports for the future 16,17,18 Your RightsThe decision whether or not to disclose your episodic disability in your workplace is your right. There are very few jobs in which people are required to disclose. For almost everyone, disclosure of your health status, and how much you choose to disclose, is your decision. By law, your employer must maintain confidentiality about your health; however, confidentiality is not guaranteed and can be disclosed intentionally or unintentionally. It can be helpful to remind your employer about your right to confidentiality. If you want to learn more about your rights in the workplace specifically related to disclosure, visit the Resources page. Your WorkplaceTo help you better understand the workplace in which you are considering disclosure, consider the following questions. If any of the questions are not applicable to you or your workplace, feel free to skip the question.Is your workplace open to discussing episodic disability? No Unsure Yes Is there any awareness about episodic disability in your workplace? No Unsure Yes Does your workplace actively promote diversity, equity and accessibility? No Unsure Yes Do you feel respected by your co-workers? No Unsure Yes Are there rules or policies in your workplace that are supportive to you as a person living with an episodic disability? No Unsure Yes Do you believe that your union will support you in a disclosure decision? No Unsure Yes Do you trust your co-workers? No Unsure Yes Do you feel respected by your employer? No Unsure Yes Do you believe that if you disclose you will be treated differently? No Unsure Yes Do you believe that if you disclose you will be bullied and/or stigmatized at work? No Unsure Yes Do you believe that if you disclose you will lose your insurance? No Unsure Yes Do you believe that if you disclose you will get fewer shifts or less work? No Unsure Yes Do you believe that if you disclose you will be demoted or not get a promotion? No Unsure Yes Do you believe that if you disclose you will be fired? No Unsure Yes Think about what your responses are telling you about your workplace. Extra Support at WorkSometimes the effects of episodic disability and/or treatment make it difficult for people to do their jobs fully. Are you experiencing challenges doing your job, that are related to living with episodic disability? No Yes List challenges you are having doing your job.Reminder: This site does not save or store your informationIf you are experiencing challenges, your employer must provide a reasonable amount of support to help you do your job. These supports are called “accommodations.” To obtain accommodations, you will need to disclose to your employer* that you have a health condition that is making it difficult for you to do your job and that accommodations could help you do it better. You may need a letter from a health care provider. *Note: if you are a unionized worker, your local union must be part of any accommodation process that might affect your collective agreement. Possible accommodations/supports include: Shortened or flexible work schedule Change in work location Time off for medical appointments Adaptations to work tasks and equipment Do you think that accommodations will help you do your job? No Yes What type of accommodations do you think could help you? Your Life SituationSometimes there are things happening in your life that make disclosure decisions very difficult. Think about whether any of these apply to you right now.It is a very stressful time for me because of other things going on in my life No Yes I am very worried about my finances No Yes I feel a lot of pressure from family, friends and/or partner(s) to disclose or not disclose No Yes I already feel I am in fragile health for reasons other than my episodic disability No Yes I am already worried about my personal safety No Yes Possible examples may include: I am pregnant I am 2SLGBTQ+ and not out I am Indigenous I am a person of colour English is not my first language I am a refugee or a newcomer to the country I have an evident disability I feel excluded for other reasons Think about how these things may affect your decision to disclose or not disclose at work at this time. Disclosing is not something you must do right now, or perhaps this is the right time for you. Your SupportsIt can be helpful to talk about your decision with someone you trust outside your workplace about the decision to disclose your episodic disability. Who do you feel is the right support for you? Please check all that apply. You may write their name after the check mark and the reason why you trust them. Note: Because your responses are not saved, some people choose to print this page on a private printer for their own reference.Family (e.g. spouse/partner, parents, sibling, etc.) A good support for me List family membersFriends A good support for me List friendsCounsellor(s) A good support for me List counsellorsFaith-based advisor(s) A good support for me List faith-based advisor(s)Peer(s) A good support for me List peersColleague(s) A good support for me List colleaguesHealth or social care provider(s) A good support for me List health or social care providersDoes one person stand out as the best support for you? Your ValuesIt is helpful to think about your values in relation to your health status. To what extent are these values important to you? There are no right or wrong answers. I value being open to sharing personal information Not at all A little Somewhat A lot I value talking about my health status so I can advocate for people living with episodic disability Not at all A little Somewhat A lot I value fairness in the workplace Not at all A little Somewhat A lot I value protecting others, such as my family, from discrimination Not at all A little Somewhat A lot I value my personal privacy and confidentiality Not at all A little Somewhat A lot I value protecting my access to insurance, housing and other health and social benefits Not at all A little Somewhat A lot I value having support from people in my workplace (e.g., co-workers, union representatives) Not at all A little Somewhat A lot I value choices about to whom, when and how I disclose Not at all A little Somewhat A lot I value being treated the same as other people Not at all A little Somewhat A lot I value a workplace that includes people with diverse characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, or other characteristics Not at all A little Somewhat A lot Think about the ones you checked off as ‘a lot’ and how those values may affect your decision to disclose or not disclose at work. Your optionsIt is often helpful to think about your options for disclosure. Always remember you don’t have to disclose. If you decide to disclose, it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can decide: To whom in your workplace you would like to disclose How much you want to disclose When you would like to disclose Consider the following people in your workplace / How much would you like to disclose to this person? How much would you like to disclose to your supervisor/manager Nothing That you have a health condition That you have an episodic disability How much would you like to disclose to your co-workers Nothing That you have a health condition That you have an episodic disability How much would you like to disclose to your union rep / Local union executive member (if applicable) Nothing That you have a health condition That you have an episodic disability How much would you like to disclose to your human resource person Nothing That you have a health condition That you have an episodic disability How much would you like to disclose to health care professionals in your workplace Nothing That you have a health condition That you have an episodic disability Other people to considerPerson's name How much would you like to disclose to this person Nothing That you have a health condition That you have an episodic disability Add personRemove personUnder what circumstances would you like to disclose?Check all that apply When you apply for a job When you start working, and feel healthy When you get to know your co-workers, and feel safe with them When it’s right for your life situation, unrelated to health status When you first notice it is hard to complete your activities at work When you clearly need supports or workplace accommodations to do your job When you have a lot of absences because of your health When you are very sick Making a Disclosure DecisionUsing all the information that you have gathered about yourself and your workplace, think about all your options for disclosure including the option not to disclose. This will help you decide your path of action, whether you disclose or not, how much and to whom. Once you have filled in your responses, you have the option to print this page with your responses. Your OptionsOption name Option advantagesOption disadvantagesDo the advantages outweigh the disadvantages for this option? No Yes Add optionRemove optionHow close are you to making a decision that is right for you? I am very undecided I am somewhat undecided I am neutral I am leaning toward a decision I have decided Now that you have completed the above questions, are you better able to make a decision? Yes, I will disclose, and I now have a preferred path to do so. I also have a plan B for disclosure. Maybe, I will not disclose until I have ____________ in place. No, I will not disclose at this time. However, I can come back and review this guide at any time if things change. Please make some notes for yourself below to clarify your thoughts. Thank youWe hope that this decision guide has been helpful to you. Remember that a disclosure decision does not have to be a one-time decision. Feel free to come back anytime. Regardless of what you have decided, don’t forget to look up your local resources.