Tell work about health conditions?

[cortisolqueen]

I've been in my current role almost exactly 2 years.

When I joined I had a couple of health issues (autoimmune and a musculoskeletal issue) but have been able to manage them both with no time off sick in relation to these (only time off sick was with covid or flu).

I have previously been told by a consultant that my autoimmune condition is likely to make me more susceptible to bugs etc, although years ago in a previous job the occupational health assessor said this wasn't the case (not sure how they knew better than the consultant, but there we go).

Last year I was diagnosed with three other health conditions. While 2/3 don't currently impact on my work directly, the third one does. Im wondering if I should tell my manager about all of these issues, in case I need time off in the future.

Is there any benefit to telling them in advance? Will this give me any protection or do you think it will highlight me as a malingerer??

My boss isn't particularly sympathetic (or thinks that because someone he knows has a similar condition and isn't ill, then I should be the same) and im just trying to think of ways to minimise the stress of having time off if needed (ie they may be more understanding if they know it's an existing problem).

Any advice?

I would personally ensure that they know about the conditions. If you ever need reasonable adjustments (assuming this might constitute a disability at some stage as it may not now from what you said) then having evidence that you them prevents them from denying they knew as a defence. That said, even with a clear disability there is no real protection against "needing time off" - it may be a reasonable adjustment to allow some extra days sickness where there is a disability, but it certainly isn't a legal protection or requirement. For example, my very large employer allows me two additional days (so 11 instead of 9) in a 12 month period before I enter the sickness absence process; but they don't have to. And I have a significant degree of disability - based on your description, much higher than you are currently experiencing.

Disability is defined as something that has a significant impact on everyday activities and has lasted, or is expected to last, at least 12 months. You can find some detailed information here which may help you make a decision: www.gov.uk/government/publications/equality-act-guidance/disability-equality-act-2010-guidance-on-matters-to-be-taken-into-account-in-determining-questions-relating-to-the-definition-of-disability-html

But in the final analysis, the main provisions are broadly about the employer supporting reasonable adjustments which enable you to do your job as well as someone who does not have a disability, not about maintaining your employment if you are not in work due to sickness, so any support would be minimal.

Does that answer your question?