When and IF to bring up health issues?

[lovebeingananny]

I have worked as a nanny for over 20years. Have been in my current position for over 4years, but as the children are now heading into full time education, I feel it's time to move on.

I have an interview this week, and my question is when would you mention/would you mention that you have had health issue over the last year!

I managed to work through most of my treatment, but did have two weeks off for surgery and then approx ten days off in 6months while going through Chemo.

I want to be open and honest with the family I am meeting, but at the same time I don't want to scare them off before they get to know me. So would you not mention it, unless asked directly? Or mention it, if I get to a second interview?

Any thoughts from nannies or parents, would be gratefully received.

Is it something that you'll need time off for in future? If so it may be worth mentioning. If they ask about your sickness record and you don't want to go into details you could give the bare minimum of details.

I should add that I have chronic pain and fatigue and a few other minor issues, I don't think that I mentioned them at my last interviews but my families were told about it later. It doesn't really affect my work so I don't feel that they need to know in detail and telling them at interview will scare them off.

Thanks Pixie no I shouldn't need time off in the future! I might need a hospital check up every few months. But will do my best to fit that into my free time. Which is what I have done in my current position.

Agree I don't want to scare them off!

Yeah, that's what I do, I'm trying to get a diagnosis and I've always had appointments between work hours (difficult when I was working 6 days a week!) I dropped one of my jobs at the end of the school year, part of it was because, with the fatigue, I couldn't have a life outside of work and I really wanted to have some me time, study time and time to socialise! So I'm down to one job 3 days a week and ad hoc now, which suits me much better :)

It's difficult though, because you want to be honest, but equally, you don't want them to prejudge you when you know that you are perfectly capable at doing your job and until they see that, they will factor your health into their decision to hire you (which is fair enough, but they don't know that much about your health to make a judgement call effectively and explaining too much can put them off even more!).

My current MB knows quite a lot about my health issues since I started and is entirely fine about it, the older kids also know about it and I've explained to them that my cartilage doesn't work properly, what cartilage is and that sometimes it stops me going on the trampoline as my knees/joints will hurt and I can't ride a bike because of it. The bike thing is the only thing I make a point to mention at interview because some families do want somebody to go on bike rides with their kids.

I would be honest from first interview. Parents have the right to know the person they are possibly going to employ, is healthy and well. If you explain you are recovered, you feel good, I think they will understand and give you as much chance as anyone else.

If you dont mention it then your employer will when asked about health/sick days

I wouldn't mention at first but at second I would.

I would say that you had cancer and have made a full recovery and that no one knows what lies in the future for any of us but you have managed to fit check ups around work or left charges with a friend so that your employers didn't have to take too much time off work apart from Chemo.

Can't believe you are leaving them. Sadly children grow up

Thanks for the advice. I think I will only mention at first interview IF I am asked about time off for illness! Otherwise I definitely think it's something I would save till second interview, IF I get that far!

I really don't enjoy job hunting and in theory I could stay with this family longer! But I think the longer I stay, the harder I will find it to make the BIG step to, move on!

Think the last year has just knocked my confidence a bit, and although I know I can do my job well. I can't help thinking that my health could put some people off

Just wanted to say how impressed I am at how little time you took off for recovery! I also had surgery this year (followed by radiation in my case - thankfully no chemo) and I was a mess for several months - in fact, I'm 8 weeks out from radiation now and still very ill (although at least able to go to work). I think it is something to save for the second interview but honestly, the fact that 1) you're recovered (congratulations!) and 2) took so little time off during a medical emergency would actually not work against you. Many potential employers will be impressed by your dedication to your job and eagerness and ability to return to work ASAP, despite your health issues. I'm sure it won't work against you in most cases/with most families.

Thanks Reinette that's just what I needed to hear

Sorry to hear you have also had a rough time. I worked throughout Chemo and Radiotherapy. I think I was quite lucky in the fact I didn't have too many side effects! I also had some very supportive nanny friends, who helped out with the occasional school pick up! But basically I wasn't willing to give up work, unless I had too! I'm stubborn

Wishing you all the best in your recovery x