I may have a health condition but don’t want to tell my boss

[Absolutegeek97]

Hi, so as the title suggests I am currently waiting on my imminent referral for a condition called PCOS. I am new here too.

As many sufferers of the condition will know it affects people in lots of different ways. For me, it causes excess hair in certain areas, dark patches on my skin, thin hair, infrequent periods. Above all I have an issue with my weight despite exercising by either doing aqua fit or swimming up to 4 hours a week and eating well.

I have had a long battle with trying to get to this stage because the GP didn’t want to give me a blood test and blamed my lack of diet and exercise. As you know now this isn’t true

Hi op, are you meaning that he'll need to know because youre going to be unable to do part of the job when you're in the office alone? Could reasonable adjustments like a door buzzer be looked at?

Yes a few.

1. you’re not a proper woman.
2. you’ll never have children
3. if you are overweight with pcos your not trying hard enough to loose weight. 4)you’re just far

there are loads of them.

You cant be disciplined for refusing to disclose a medical condition to your boss. He shouldn't even be asking. I suggest you get in touch with ACAS for advice.

I have PCOS and this doesn't affect my work, other than time off for a few appointments. I only disclosed to my employer what I needed to - dates I needed leave.

You shouldn't need to take any time off for PCOS. If you need to attend a hospital appointment, just take annual leave. There is no need for your boss to know anything about it.

Thanks for the advice. My boss is an absolute jerk and has been victimising me a lot lately expecially when it comes to thinks like this.

I doubt you'll need much time off, and if you do tell him it's for a gynaecological problem. I'm sure that'll be enough for him, but if he asks for more info just look him in the face and reply 'I'm sure you don't need the details'.

That should do it.

I have PCOS and the only time i told my boss (who i have worked with for 7yrs now) is when i started fertility treatment because i needed lots of time off for scans and blood tests.

PCOS is described as an endocrine disorder - if i have to explain it to someone, i just say that i have a disorder that affects my hormones and sometimes means lots of appointments.

If they push, say that you'll give details to HR.

As pp have said, i had 1 appointment every quarter and i just tried to arrange for start / end of day and take AL if i wanted to keep it private.

Have you looked into the Fast 800 diet? It's good for PCOS and diabetes (which can be a complication of PCOS). Low carb works well for PCOS too.

I have PCOS, in my experience once diagnosed the GP writes it off as 'well you have PCOS' and no treatment is even considered let alone actually offered. I was diagnosed though a blood test and a tra vaginal ultrasound.Only one of which needed time off work and I took Annual leave.

I have never felt the need to tell anyone at work. I'm fat, but as far as I know no one is talking about it and if they are then they're twats. It doesn't affect my ability to do my job and I've been promoted a lot so it evidently doesn't affect my career trajectory.

I think you may be over thinking this. Take time off for medical appts if you need to, tell him it's Gynae based and you have no intention of providing details further than that, he doesn't have the right to know the intimate details.

I was in my mid forties before a GP looking at my notes said OH you have PCOS. Managed three children first with clomid others naturally.

I've no idea why an employer needs to know

absolutely no reason to tell your boss. PCOS doesn’t affect your day to day functioning at all

Maybe time to look for another job OP?

I have PCOS diagnosed at eighteen.
I had a child without intervention.
To lose weight I eat no more than 1200 calories very low carb is the only thing that works, plus lots of cardio which it sounds like you've started with. Maintenance I also have a treat day once a week with carbs maybe even pizza! Generally sick under 1500 calories low carb. This regime also makes me feel so much better, more energy, better skin etc. Our bodies are insulin resistant and can't deal with carbs and sugar.

My boss is lovely, and a he. He doesn't know because he doesn't need to. I also haven't encountered any of the stigma you discuss. Lots and lots of women have PCOS. it sounds like a lot of this is coming from your anxiety.