Another work interview question

[Sparkles]

I know I've seen others ask this before. I am thinking of leaving my current job. In fact I'm pretty sure I will be doing so. There are risks to leaving, most notably losing my health care benefits, but long story short, the stress of the job is just too much all things considered.

So, I have the opportunity to teach part time at a local community college where I've taught before. The last semester I taught there I had a seizure during a class, though I did not know at the time that's what it was (in fact I suppose it was an aura followed by a mild complex partial). I became confused, slurred my words, had quite a headache and ended class early. I don't really remember. However, a student video taped the episode because he thought it was oh so funny. After class I went immediately to my primary care doctor who treated me for a migraine as at the time the theory was that I was having complex migraines. So thankfully I had documentation of that, time/date and ultimately a note from my doctor and everything. The next class session I told the students what had happened, apologized, and went on with the semester. After class, this student subtly threatened me that if he did not receive and A in the class he would put the video on YouTube. I immediately contacted the department chair, who contacted the Vice President of Student Affairs and I ended up meeting with the VP and the student. The student deleted the video in front of us both, said he was joking, and basically implied that I needed to lighten up. The college supported me which felt good, but it shook me up. Not long after, about a week, the student was absent from class and in the parking lot shared by faculty and students, my side view mirror was smashed. I reported the incident to campus security and told them I had no proof of who did what as the satellite campus where I was teaching is not in the best area so I just wanted it on record. So... I decided to take the next semester off to look for full time work and found it. I worked at a non profit for a year and now at my current, stressful job for over three years.

Since I was undiagnosed and untreated while teaching part time at this community college, I did have to cancel a class here and there, which as an adjunct faculty is just not good. It happens, but you really don't want to. Between that and the incident with the student, I feel like I should tell the Coordinator with whom I am meeting about the diagnosis and that I am getting treatment now and things are much better controlled. When he read my resume he was very excited and all but hired me via email. But once he digs into my file if he finds this incident with the student...

So... Do I tell him I have epilepsy off the bat? Do I wait until he says I can teach some classes? It's a semester by semester position anyway so it can be, let's see how the spring semester goes and then if it goes well, the fall and so on. When I was hired at my previous two jobs I knew I had "complex migraines" or thought that's what they were, and figured it was no one's business, but the episodes were few and far between and usually happening at home. In my current position I have been teaching one class a semester (except this semester, long story) and I tell my students, as I don't want to be blackmailed again. So...

Do you all tell prospective employers? Or wait until/if it comes up? I really need to leave my current job and so I need to teach and I need to teach a bunch of classes and do some consulting so making a good impression by being honest, competent, clear, professional... I just don't know which strategy to use.

 

[masterjen]

I would first check with the teacher's college for some guidance, but a teacher could be blind in one eye, suffer from depression or manic depressive disorder, have a hearing impairment, or be in the early stages of pregnancy (or be planning to get pregnant in the next 6 months). You cannot be discriminated against in the hiring process UNLESS the job description specifically states you must meet a certain standard (eg. have a teaching degree) and not have certain medical conditions. And job descriptions are legal documents; not just randomly written up to make sure people hired include only people who have perfect hearing, no mood disorders, etc. Jobs such as that of a construction worker may have a job description that would automatically and legally exclude those who have a physical disability or epilepsy, for example, because a fall could be deadly but they could not have a job description that excluded those medicated, say, for depression.

 

[Crash]

Firstly let me tell you how sorry i am for what you had to endure,there are no words for some people's behavioral issues.I hope that it never let it get to you to much.I terms off job application forms,well they can be tough in our situation.Personally i never apply for jobs that i know my epilepsy could be a danger to myself or others.Jobs that i do apply for i never mention my epilepsy as i am a firm believer in being at a distinctive disadvantage at it been brought up.If it came to two people one with epilepsy and the other without,i feel the candidate without epilepsy would be successful.I know there are disability laws,but i don't think they are adhered to as they are supposed to be.

But that been said,my epilepsy is fairly well controlled,so ticking the "NO" box i feel reasonably confident.But you and you yourself know the best answer to this question,but this is just my feelings and thoughts on the matter.Which ever "BOX" you decide to tick Sparkles,i wish you all the best and please let us all know what your decision is and how you get on.

 

[Endless]

I'm so sorry you went through that with your student. The school will not hold that against you. That was his bad, abusive behavior, not yours.

Of course, there are positive and negative consequences to disclosing about epilepsy. Whether I would or wouldn't depends mostly on job requirements for safety. Even in companies that build buildings have employees with epilepsy, but they work under a certain height and clip into safety lines, where they are used.

If there are no safety issues (and it doesn't sound like there are), the second consideration is whether you do need accommodations to be able to perform your job effectively. Dimmed lights?

If there are no safety issues and no accommodations needed, then what would be the point of bringing up your epilepsy? What would be the positive benefit there? You wouldn't be any safer, and you wouldn't be able to do your job any better than your already excellent self.

So the last question is, what are the possible negative consequences of telling them? I'd list them all here, but the list is way too long.

Just speaking for myself, I'd never tell them until I have to.

 

[notime]

"But once he digs into my file if he finds this incident with the student..." You did nothing wrong, it's a medical condition and you're protected by laws which prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities. You are protected under the ADA most of the time. But, yeah, it is probably a good idea to tell them. I am very sorry this happened to you, students should respect their teachers, professors, and so forth and not make fun of them because of a medical condition. I am so sorry, but this shouldn't prevent you from pursuing your dream job.

It's not legally required for you to report your medical condition to your employer, unless it's risky jobs such as: the military, firefighters, police, pilots, perhaps surgeons as well. However, if you're a teacher or professor, then you're not required by law as it doesn't seem like you're dealing with anything dangerous. In my opinion, it would be best to tell your students and employer, so they can be prepared and call 911 if something is wrong like long lasting seizures. Usually people are protected by the ADA (americans with disabilities act), and it's illegal to fire you from certain positions as this or not hire you based on a medical condition alone. Yes, it's hard to prove, and only a few cases occur, but usually they will treat you fair.

But, I am not a doctor or a legal expert. This is just what I learned, it's up to you to tell them about your condition but you are not legally required or anything. Personally, I would, so they would be ready if I were to have a seizure in front of my students so they'd know what to do. Good luck with you and your career though.

 

[Sparkles]

Thank you all very much. I had taught full time for 12 years, then moved to SC and was going to change careers when I separated and was going through a divorce. So I went back to part time teaching, then the non profit and current job. I've had some wild experiences with students in my years if teaching, yet still, I love teaching, especially my field which is Criminology/Sociology. I miss it a lot.

I was envisioning the Coordinator getting into my personnel file and seeing what happened between this student and myself and seeing how many classes I had cancelled when I last taught there which in retrospect really wasn't that many... And I wondered if I should explain that it was undiagnosed and untreated epilepsy. And since I tell my students in case I have a seizure during class, I figured word would get back to him anyway, so better sooner than later. Those were the pros of telling him. The cons of course, that despite anti discrimination laws, exactly that if it comes down to me versus someone without epilepsy it will be the other person. However, what works in my favor is that I'm applying for a part time, adjunct position that comes and goes, and can easily be not renewed if they don't like me, and, in my area in my field they are always hiring part timers.

I'd like to not bring it up in an interview. It just feels so personal, and I've hardly accepted the diagnosis myself, it's so new. But, my gut says he should know... Ugh. I know it's not a great comparison but I never told employers of my migraines. How would I bring this up... Thanks for the job offer, by the way... :/ If I remember correctly, they tell you informally what classes you teach, and then you go back with paperwork, get the ID and parking pass and all. Maybe at that time I can tell him. Where I currently work, I may also apply for adjunct teaching, but they already know, so I don't have to worry about it.

 

[daviscy60]

With my experience related to work I go by if they don't ask don't tell. In the past I got a job but waited until they said you have the job. Then I had to do the medical requirements... Do I told them. It did push my start back date back because then I had to go thru dr to get all okays to wrk. Really large company and later on I did have seizure at work. I had within a few months lost a brother in law, lost a baby and then the seizure at wrk. Got moved into what I call a reject group. Later was laid off and per union company contract should have been allowed to make a lateral move back to group prior to seizure. Neither company nor union would support me on this. Most unsupported was the union of whom I pay dues to each month to represent me. VERY unfair and I really don't have any hard concrete evidence but in my opinion it was the seizure and other stuff I went thru that year that caused it. This was in 1989. In 1998 I had started a job working for USPS. Another large place and also represented by union. They ask the question on the resume if you have ever had a seizure or a seizure disorder. Seeing as my ex walked out on his responsibilities kids in high school my daughter graduating wanting to go to college. No more child support. I had to have a job. So I answered no. In january 2001 had been recalled to other job and for almost entire year wrk both jobs. One 3rd shift other 1st shift. November 2001 was going over 100 hrs wrk that week. Probably forgot to take meds some... Didn't know weather I was going to bed or waking up...plus lack of sleep had a TC seizure at PO job hit head on a metal case... 9 staples put in head. After going back to work. 3 managers pulled me into office and before they even knew what I had put on that paper they said I couldn't work there any longer because I held up there operation for an hour. I told them they could not do that. Laws in US would not allow that. But then later they got info from my dr and went back to look at application. I did fight it. They ended up letting me resign and paid me some. I also have a book I just read that mentions about the laws in US that are to protect people like those living with E in the work place but how so many companies get around it.

All in all...my opinion only tell them what they ask. And if they are asking something that you feel is not right we should fight it.

My ex is a fire fighter and in everyone's eyes considered to be a hero. In my eyes I don't see how you can consider a man a hero when he walks out the door leaving behind his responsibilities of his own two kids....

 

[suebear]

So... Do I tell him I have epilepsy off the bat? Do I wait until he says I can teach some classes? It's a semester by semester position anyway so it can be, let's see how the spring semester goes and then if it goes well, the fall and so on. When I was hired at my previous two jobs I knew I had "complex migraines" or thought that's what they were, and figured it was no one's business, but the episodes were few and far between and usually happening at home. In my current position I have been teaching one class a semester (except this semester, long story) and I tell my students, as I don't want to be blackmailed again. So...

Do you all tell prospective employers? Or wait until/if it comes up? I really need to leave my current job and so I need to teach and I need to teach a bunch of classes and do some consulting so making a good impression by being honest, competent, clear, professional... I just don't know which strategy to use.

Make sure the university or college you are going to teach at has your back at all times and will always cover you when there is an issue with a student. With that being said, I'd make sure that where you are going to teach gives you the opportunity to teach at home rather than do it in class so you can actually set up your lectures via video. It may just save you a lot of trouble such as what you just went through with this previous student who was such an ass in his little threatening matter.

I'm currently in the process of working on my dissertation at this time for my Doctorate degree that will allow me to be a professor.

You are there teaching to every college student within your classroom and college rules needs to be made known from day one. I would make it known to every student that walks in the door - if they have an issue with learning from you they can leave otherwise you intend on making it a great term; it's that simple.

College students try to get away with a lot but when they realize the professor or instructor isn't going to play games they straighten up real quick.

There are two options that come to mind. Can you determine a seizure; if so, have you considered obtaining a VNS? They are helpful for persons who sense seizures because they will help stop them. Another option to consider is teaching online in the adjunct fashion. :twocents:

 

[Sparkles]

Daviscy60, I have some issues with my ex as well. I'm sorry you've had to go through that. I've had seizures at my current job and before we knew they were seizures 911 was called and now there are issues with my supervisor that I believe stem from the seizures and diagnosis. But, like you, I can't prove it. I made an informal report so that if anyone else goes through something similar I will be a corroborating case / witness. But I also want to be able to do consulting and part time teaching at this college so I'm going to leave on good terms. Hopefully.

Suebear, congrats on getting your PhD. That's one reason why I am able to get this job, in this area in my field there are not any PhDs locally wanting to teach adjunct at the community college. I currently tell my students about the seizures so they know what to look for, not to panic, and not to call 911 unless I break a bone or it lasts for a prolonged period. So having said that, I think the coordinator needs to know. This local college offers 1/2 of their classes online. I have only taught a class that was 1/2 online and 1/2 in person, never 100% online, but I'm willing to do so. I've been reading up on strategies for teaching online, so if they give me the chance to do so I will. I notice that they haven't offered the Juvenile Delinquency class in quite a while, which is one that I teach, and I'm hoping its because they haven't had anyone qualified to teach it, so then I could teach that online. I'd be willing to teach sections in person and online. I'm used to the classroom setting, but willing to go with the times and teach via computer. I've had confrontations with students in the past regarding plagiarism, cheating, disrupting class, I even had a near fist fight and once the police came to arrest a student but thankfully he wasn't there. But this little pain in the butt thought he could pull this blackmail on me, and he was so wrong. Smart phones... I was tempted to get a bin and collect them at the start of class from that point forward. I've had phone ring during class, students texting during class. It only happens once, but every semester. At the beginning of each class on the power point with the outline for the day I have "please silence your cell phones" as a reminder. I had a student answer his phone once, this was back in the 1990s, right in the middle of class, "hello. No man, I can't talk right now I'm in class." Seriously. I could write a book! One class I'd like to teach is a special topics having to do with the Sociology of Illness or something like that. I have a whole new perspective on it. There is a subfield in sociology called Medical Sociology. Just thinking. I have lots of thinking to do by the interview on Wednesday.

Thanks again to one and all for the input. It's a tough decision and I wonder how people with other conditions deal with this issue...

Oh, and I can sometimes tell when a seizure is coming, sometimes not. I have room to increase my Topamax I think. I see the neuro at the end if September. I think decreasing the stress by leaving my current job will really help. I'm very stressed, losing sleep, and all of that is just not helping.

 

[suebear]

Suebear, congrats on getting your PhD. That's one reason why I am able to get this job, in this area in my field there are not any PhDs locally wanting to teach adjunct at the community college. I currently tell my students about the seizures so they know what to look for, not to panic, and not to call 911 unless I break a bone or it lasts for a prolonged period. So having said that, I think the coordinator needs to know. This local college offers 1/2 of their classes online. I have only taught a class that was 1/2 online and 1/2 in person, never 100% online, but I'm willing to do so. I've been reading up on strategies for teaching online, so if they give me the chance to do so I will. I notice that they haven't offered the Juvenile Delinquency class in quite a while, which is one that I teach, and I'm hoping its because they haven't had anyone qualified to teach it, so then I could teach that online. I'd be willing to teach sections in person and online. I'm used to the classroom setting, but willing to go with the times and teach via computer. I've had confrontations with students in the past regarding plagiarism, cheating, disrupting class, I even had a near fist fight and once the police came to arrest a student but thankfully he wasn't there. But this little pain in the butt thought he could pull this blackmail on me, and he was so wrong. Smart phones... I was tempted to get a bin and collect them at the start of class from that point forward. I've had phone ring during class, students texting during class. It only happens once, but every semester. At the beginning of each class on the power point with the outline for the day I have "please silence your cell phones" as a reminder. I had a student answer his phone once, this was back in the 1990s, right in the middle of class, "hello. No man, I can't talk right now I'm in class." Seriously. I could write a book! One class I'd like to teach is a special topics having to do with the Sociology of Illness or something like that. I have a whole new perspective on it. There is a subfield in sociology called Medical Sociology. Just thinking. I have lots of thinking to do by the interview on Wednesday.

Thanks again to one and all for the input. It's a tough decision and I wonder how people with other conditions deal with this issue...

Oh, and I can sometimes tell when a seizure is coming, sometimes not. I have room to increase my Topamax I think. I see the neuro at the end if September. I think decreasing the stress by leaving my current job will really help. I'm very stressed, losing sleep, and all of that is just not helping.

Happy I could give you some information to help. I have a few places that I use for tips of the trade. When I obtain the link I will send it to you as they are wonderful for giving helpful information in regards to adjunct teaching and how to build up your skills in that area.

I'm slowly getting there with finishing off this PhD, it's taking me awhile to get this dissertation done but I am determined to get it completed. :rock: It might take me a little longer than anticipated with the migrainal activity taking place but there is time yet. Fortunately I know what needs to get done and how to build everything together.

Feel free to add me onto your friends list and keep in touch off list. =)

 

[Sparkles]

I had my interview at lunch time today and it went very well. He did ask me if I'd ever had a problem with a student. I couldn't tell if he already knew about the situation with the student trying to blackmail me and I just felt it was the right thing to do to tell him the truth. So I told him that I occasionally, in the years I've taught had disruptive students or students who cheated but that the biggest problem I'd had was right at this college and relayed the story that I'd been undiagnosed with epilepsy at the time and had had a seizure, the whole taping me on the phone, going to my doctor, the not so subtle threat, the meeting with the VP and student. I told him that I am diagnosed now and under the care of a neurologist and so that things are much better on that front and that I always tell my students so that they know what to look for but that I haven't had a seizure in a classroom since. He did ask in a round about way if that were a frequent concern. I almost didn't answer, but since we were having the conversation on my terms I decided to go ahead and answer and told him that I'd not had a seizure in a classroom since and that with medication, and alternative treatments like stress control, exercise and vitamins and such that the frequency of my seizures would be significantly less than that point in time and should only be a few times a year, and that they only last a matter of minutes. All of that is true, and I decided not to discuss post ictal, what happens if stress increases, and so on. He did not ask me why I'm leaving my current job, though I'd told him via email that I missed teaching sociology and criminology which is very true but also what is true is that my current job is causing a lot of stress and there is some bad treatment occurring due to the seizures. I didn't want to bring that up so I am glad it wasn't a topic of conversation.

Anyway, I will be teaching there starting spring semester, depending on their need up to 4 classes a semester, and I hope some in maymester and summer. One step at a time. I will also see of I can teach a class or two at another local college, in fact, the one where I work now, but in a different department, sociology. But I can't seek that job until I official resign from my current position and I have to figure out when to do that.

Good news for me is that they need day time and online classes taught. Bad news is for now, no health care so I have to purchase that on my own and it will be wicked expensive. I'll have COBRA for 18 months, but wow it will be expensive. I will need to teach a lot of classes. It's hard to make this choice and probably seems crazy but my current job is literally making me "sick" - the stress is too much. I know I can handle the teaching, I've done it before and I love it. So, I'm taking a leap of faith that in the end it will work out that either a full time position will open up in teaching at this college or enough consulting will come my way or something else will come along in the 18 months. Between my savings and the part time teaching, I can do this for the 18 months I have COBRA. So I'm leaping...

There's my update! Good interview. I have to go through HR which I'll do later this month and then figure out what to tell my work place, when, and how.

 

[Nakamova]

Congrats on getting the teaching job, and good for you for taking the leap!

I sympathize about the health insurance. I'm self-employed so I have to pay for my own. It's a huge expense and it increases quite a bit every year. On the other hand, I love the freedom of being my own boss, and the commute (zero).

 

[suebear]

Awesome, awesome, awesome news! Happy to hear that things went in your corner!

 

[Sparkles]

Thank you Nakamova and Sue. Now if I can get over my fear of leaping and financial fears... I just have to remind myself that the stress of my current job is too big of a problem, too big of a risk to continue. I can teach and if I can get the consulting going... If only the health care weren't so darn expensive, huh?! While I won't quite be my own boss for the teaching, I'll sure have a lot more freedom and I really do love it... My parents are coming over tomorrow evening to help me sort out my finances and budget. I can do this!

Thanks again.

 

[C0urt]

best of luck, and the guy who threatened you was crap. I have lost jobs because of my epilepsy. the most reason one was my choice. they gave me the option to give up my delivery and make sandwiches. and they only reason I was there to ride my bike all day and deliver sandwiches. It is really kinda fun, I am blatantly over qualified to make sandwiches. Most of my other jobs skills mean I need to have some qualification that I cant get with my epilepsy. or it is in my on best interest to tell them I have severe epilepsy before I start. lots of places are really friendly once you talk to them.

I am trying to work with the state vocational service, but they are making me work for it, and we will see it if is worth it.

 

[Sparkles]

Thanks, C0urt. What's happening at my current job is like this surreal, "I thought that only happens on TV" kind of thing. The expectations have been raised to such an unreasonable level that it became clear to me I'm being forced out and I went to talk to the person who deals with discrimination at my workplace but I can't prove it and I would have to wait until I actually received another bad review (although my last one technically wasn't "bad" it was "satisfactory" which for me is bad and is leading to bad). I can't take the stress of the 2.5 times increase in demand, job role change, and other stuff going on so that's why I am choosing to leave but I did leave an informal report in the discrimination office and HR so that if something similar happens they will call me as a corroborating witness kind of thing and I have my friend who will call me if someone else is targeted. Which, I don't think will happen because it seems to have more to do with my seizures and epilepsy than anything else.

Anyway, I am having trouble sleeping because I am worried about finances, and am I making the right decision, and what if I can't get health care after COBRA runs out, and though I want to do consulting will I be able to get that kind of work. Then I remember why I'm doing this and it is not just the stress of the job, but if (likely when) my license gets pulled again the college I interviewed with needs online teachers and the consulting is something I can do from home with an occasional ride to the location for an initial and periodic meeting. So, I know I'm doing the right thing, but I can't turn the worry off and I need to so I can reduce the stress and get back to more normal sleep, or we know what will happen...

I have a count down - 99 days / 63 work days until my last day at this current job. Then I'm scheduled to be off and campus is closed for winter break. I may end up going in the very beginning of January if it means getting paid for tht winter break, I have to work that out with HR. And I will have about 1 1/2 weeks of vacation pay. And I plan to use every sick day up since I won't get paid for them (I told my kids this and then told them I am not a good role model, but they understand what this work place is doing to me, working me the way they are I have already more than made up for it...)

Anyway... I hope my parents continue to support me in this decision. They seemed to be waning a bit on the phone last night. I can understand that seeing me walk away from a salaried job with health care, and my mother mentioned "prestige" (which she should know by now I just don't care about, I'm 44 years old and have been working hard in academia in one form or another aside from one year at a non profit which was still a great job since I was in grad school at age 21 so more than 1/2 my life. I'm ready to slow down and teaching at the tech college is a great job, I've done it before and I loved it, I loved the teaching, and aside from one student, I loved the students).

By the way, if anyone sees me on YouTube, let me know, I never did trust that that kid deleted the video! And, he'd been kicked out of two other colleges before attending at the tech college, but his dad was apparently a local prominent attorney. Boy, when I get mixed up with something, I really get mixed up in it!

I need more coffee... I think I've yammered on here enough, eh? Thanks for listening, advice, support, I am so lucky to have found this place. There is no one in my life who gets what it's like to have seizures. I was trying to describe the look on the guy's face yesterday who was interviewing me when I said I have epilepsy. It's still not something that flows easily out of my mouth, which doesn't help, but he did that thing where his face froze for a second so he was trying not to react and he blinked fast a few times. He is so young, maybe mid to late 20s and admitted he was not good at interviewing people and I joked I was not great at being interviewed, he was very kind, but it's that reaction that I'm trying to adjust to, which I don't see often because only my family and a few friends know, and the coworkers who were around for the various ambulance calls..

Ok, really, coffee...

 

[suebear]

I am trying to work with the state vocational service, but they are making me work for it, and we will see it if is worth it.

I was able to go through the state vocational service in Iowa where I live and they have been totally wonderful. It took some time but we were able to find something that actually started working with my resume of executive experience, skills, and knowledge then began to look with what I wanted to do in a career.

I began working with the state since early February of this year I want to say. At any rate, the goal was to get me a position by early Fall and guess what, we did it! I'm now working with a company that actually allows me to work at home via the computer and it allows me to use all of my skills, knowledge and experience. My best suggestion is be strong and keep the determination. Something will come through. State offices are first places to discover these jobs before a career site. :twocents:

 

[C0urt]

best of luck sparkles,
i am trying sue