Finding a Job with an Ileostomy - Seeking Advice

I've been having trouble finding a job because of my ileostomy. I don't go around telling jobs I have one, but I definitely need to take a few more bathroom breaks because of how it's always going and need to constantly drink water, which some jobs don't let you have a drink with you at all times. My cousin, who is a store manager, was trying to get me a job where she works. She had a boss with a similar issue like me, and it looked like I was going to get the job, but then she told me that her bosses decided not to go with me because I was "too much of a risk" because of my ostomy. She said if I said anything about how she told me what they said, they told her they would fire her for telling me. Any tips? It's getting ridiculous, honestly.

Try looking into the ADA for this could be discrimination due to your ostomy. I have had my ileostomy for 14 years, and my boss has never told me I'm at risk, and I work in construction.

What line of work do you want to do? If that manager didn't know about your ostomy and hired someone else, obviously it wasn't because of having an ostomy; there's another reason.

Don't disclose anything about your ostomy. Wear a support belt to interviews with loose clothing.

Don't tell coworkers.

Never explain... Never complain.

My cousin told them about my ostomy, and that's why they said I was "too much of a risk"—not for my safety but for their company if I got hurt on the job or if something happened to my ostomy while working, I guess. I'm currently looking at customer service work-at-home jobs now, but to be honest, I'm not really a desk person, so I would rather be at an actual place. Unfortunately, I have an autoimmune disease, so I have to be really careful both inside and outside.

Staying Hydrated with an Ostomy with LeeAnne Hayden | Hollister

I would say you definitely have a human rights issue here. It may not be based on discrimination per se, more like pure ignorance on the part of the people doing the hiring. Thinking that you would be a high risk to the company is just stupid. Is there some kind of government body that handles work-related human rights complaints in your city/state?

Terry

Yeah, the boss is a dick.

Oh yeah... smells like a lawsuit.

It's not even the ADA.

The Rehab Act of 1973, baby. Check that out. You'd get more money because ADA is capped.

That boss or any boss says an ostomy is at risk and threatens firing the cousin if she talks? Holy cow! Did we just enter 1900? There are agencies and lawyers ripe and ready to sue the shit out of ignorant businesses like this.

I have sued a well-known popular delivery company.

I have sued county and state courts. Yeah, two of them.

You have civil rights that have been compromised and need addressing. Affirmative action is a thing, folks.

Or just move on and apply elsewhere. You win a lawsuit and get a little money, it's not like you're gonna get a job there anyway. There are a gazillion jobs to be had, why dwell on it? And if it's not recorded somewhere that you didn't get the job because of your ostomy, good luck proving that was the reason.

I work in an office. No one knows I have an ostomy; none of their business. I go to the bathroom only three times per day, no more than anyone else.

Wow, that sounded grumpy. I'm not dwelling on it. I wasn't asking for tips on how to handle the legal side of it; I was asking about tips to help deal with an ostomy in the workplace, like eating and drinking or keeping my bag discreet, not lawyers. After having FAP, ileostomy, blood clot, heart condition, anemia, and almost colon cancer, I'm not dwelling on anything. Actually, I'm in a state of mind for the last several years since I had all these issues since 14 to live life to the fullest.

I'm not sure if you have an ileostomy or colostomy, but I have an ileostomy and mine goes 24/7. I have to empty a lot during the day because ileostomies are more active than colostomies and have more of a liquid output. People with ileostomies have to drink more because of more output. That's why we usually have a bigger risk of skin breakdown, irritation, and leaking.

Not grumpy at all. You said you can't find a job, but you don't tell them about your ostomy. So, the issues that your ostomy can cause, needing to drink and frequent bathroom breaks, haven't even been brought up or been an issue yet if you can't even get hired anywhere. So, either you're not trying very hard to find a job, because there are literally jobs everywhere, or you are relying on someone else to get you a job. Of course, there could be other reasons why you're having difficulty finding work, but until you actually have an issue with working and having your ostomy, you shouldn't use your ostomy as an excuse.

Ileo, 8 yrs

Yep... same here. 8 yrs. Time flies, huh? And still learning.

Hi,

I worked with mine for 6 years. Best not to tell anyone unless you absolutely have to. There are people out there with Crohn's who have to go to the bathroom a zillion times and other problems, so ostomies are not the only thing. 

I see you were looking for customer service work at home. Unless you're leaking, there should not be an issue with customer service, and even then you can place a disposable bed pad under in your lap. Just don't say anything about it as I said. I've done both... told jobs and not told jobs, and in the end, it worked best not to say anything unless you have to. 

I did caretaking with developmentally disabled in their own apartments but only with those that can walk as I'm not allowed to lift. I worked 3rd shift and was allowed to sleep when they did... easy peasy, and they never knew a thing, but my boss did. I was the only worker in that shift. 

I did have issues on a commercial cleaning job though with people going through my bathroom bag in which I took to empty. 

Uhh, she sent this to you by mistake, Alex. At least I'm thinking that because I mentioned lawyers and the legal aspect of it. Not you, BUT ME... Mr. Grumpy in NJ.

I hate this website design. Very confusing.

I will follow up with her, though. Another time. BUT I will say this: since she was discriminated against, clearly, it won't be her first time nor last time without the power of the law behind her.

(Hi Kody. This was meant for Alex.)

I worked for 20 years as a medical secretary. Nobody knew I had an ileostomy. I used the staff toilet and also the patients' toilet, so I guess I was lucky having access to both.

I used to have a smallish breakfast and a light sandwich to keep my output low. This kept me going until my dinner when I got home.

Good luck in finding a job.