Can an employer give away my AS in a reference?

Post Reply New Topic

I finally may be getting a job that's sort of related to my special interest, and I know I will settle in quite well if I do get offered it.

But what's worrying me is what my current employer might say if she has to give a reference. Usually new employers want a reference from your previous employer. The employer and supervisors at my current job all know I have AS, and I really do not wish to have anyone at my new job knowing about it. I feel it's up to me to disclose it if I want to, or not. I don't want it being said over the phone by my current employer.
I know I'm probably being silly but I really don't want my label following me everywhere I go, and I feel it's my personal business. So i always try to be one step ahead when it comes to this.

So I'm asking, can/do employers mention stuff like your health issues when they give a reference? I would ask my employer myself not to mention about the AS, but I'm not sure if that will be too awkward or not.
At times like this, I do wish I was somebody who didn't have any diagnosises or conditions what make it awkward when applying for jobs. I hate my stupid brain.

When asked for verification, all the previous employer usually gives is the date you started being employed with them.

I doubt it very much the previous employer will disclose your AS to your new employer.

How does the previous employer know you have AS?

By this service I was involved with who help people with disabilities get employment. When I got the job I'm currently in now, my key worker from this disability employment service had to meet the employer, and obviously had to state why I was registered with them, and she had to take information of the job and the company down, and so obviously the AS got mentioned beyond my control. The service has to do this, as it's a vital part of their service.

I feel they actually make things more awkward than need be, and I prefer not to be under their services any more. They give away everything, and I'd rather deal with it under my terms. I can't have my new job knowing about this, I can't. But I'm filling out the application form this week-end because I want to send it off as quick as I can, and so I can't contact anyone on a Sunday. Would Monday be too late? I know it might not look like a big issue to others but it is for me. Imagine having something like AIDs what is your private business and you would cringe and want to die if everyone at your new job finds out. How someone with AIDs feels about their AIDs is exactly how I feel about AS. Deeply ashamed and I can't have that horrible word mentioned in my new job..

I still doubt it that they'll tell your new, prospective employer that you have AS. They don't have time to do this; and it's not ethical, anyway.

Unless you REALLY burned bridges with your previous employer.

I hope you're right. I was going to phone up the key worker from the service thing, but I know she doesn't let me have my own opinion or my own thoughts, and doesn't seem to understand how I feel. I feel she's not very professional, and that's another reason why I don't wish to be under the service any more. I'd sooner deal with it on my own, where I can say what I want instead of having someone dictating to me what should be said and how I should think, like I'm 5 years old again. I know they're there to help but I feel like they're a hindrance more than help, and they make me feel like a burden, when I am much more capable of making decisions and interacting like any normal person. I can explain myself about my anxieties.

But when I tell that to her, I can just imagine her using that low-toned lecturing voice what she's used before. She's good at getting the last word, and unless I want to stand there forever arguing, I just have to let her win. I can't be doing with it. I hope they won't force me to stay under their service.

I would just proceed with the job process.

Like I said: people in Human Resources type situations don't have the time to gossip about past employees. All they do is verify that you're employed there, and for how long.

And don't say anything about having AS. I don't care what the disability advocates tell you.

In reality, most companies don't want to hire people with disabilities. You have some, here and there, who care about people with disabilities. Most don't, though. Sorry to be so cynical.

kraftiekortie is right on all counts, of course, but I would add that, yes, an employer can disclose your AS even though the employer is probably prohibited by medical privacy laws from doing so. Since they already know about your AS, there would be little harm in asking them to recognize the laws and avoid mentioning it in future references. Unless your employer was/is hostile to you already, I suspect that he or she will honor your request (at least in realizing that you have gently warned them about violating the laws if they do).

Good luck with your new job!

I know the employer won't gossip, but I'm just afraid she might just bring it up as she gives my reference, thinking it's just a casual point. People seem to think I'm so proud of my condition, that I want it announced to the whole world or something.

I can't let this happen. I'm going to have to see my employer tomorrow, although I don't want her to know I might be leaving until it actually happens. I could try to be casual about it, and just say something like ''just out of curiosity, what would you disclose if you had to give a reference about me to someone?''

That is exactly what I would do! Be casual, ask a question or two, let the others answer.

Yes that's what I'll do, if it'd give me peace of mind.