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Kristin L

Veteran

Hi everyone,

I know a lot of you have read about my migraine situation. Because they haven't gotten better and it's affecting my ability to finish my degree, I'm right now looking at taking a medical leave of absence from grad school. I was considering just outright quitting, but I think this may be a better path because I can (hopefully) take time to get better, then come back and finish. I think it's my stress from grad school that's making me sick.

I know I still will need a job (positive cash flow and health insurance are a plus), so here's my question. When I go to apply for these jobs, how can I explain why I'm leaving my current position? And for the medical/more experienced people, can I just ask my doctor for the note? What's the protocol for something like this?

EDIT: MaryK made me realize I should add a couple of things (Thanks Mary!)

1) I've spoken with my school and found out what I need. I'm not sure how to ask the doctor.

2) I know not to disclose any health info to a potential employer. Should I tell my references that as well?

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24 replies

Latest reply was from Kristin L

MsMary

Veteran

I would absolutely not tell prospective employers I was having health problems. If you do, they won't hire you. Simple as that. Say you were burned out on grad school and needed a break, or you wanted to get a taste of the real world for a while after being in school your whole life, or you decided your grad school field was not for you and wanted to go in a different direction. Your medical condition is not your employer's business and I urge you not to disclose it during the interview process.

As for the doctor's note, are you talking about something to support the leave from school? I'd suggest asking the school what they need and then asking the doctor for that exact thing.

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks MaryK. I didn't plan on telling any potential employer about my health problems.

And for the note, I'm referring to something to support my leave from school. I've already spoken with the grad school and found out everything they need.

Diana

Veteran

I agree with MaryK. Just say you needed a break from grad school. Although I did not take a break, I do know some classmates/other grad students who took a year or two off because they were burned out or weren't sure they wanted to finish the degree. It's really common so I don't think most employers bat an eyelash about it. I would not disclose the medical condition unless it's required (i.e. it would affect your ability to do the job, like if you were operating heavy machinery or something).

As for the medical note, I'm not sure you really need one, although obviously it depends on your program. Again, I'm pretty sure that "I'm burned out" is an acceptable reason for taking a leave, so long as your advisers and the program are OK with it. In the program where I did my PhD, I think that would have been fine (but it was research-based so as long as your adviser was on board that was all you needed).

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks Diana. The main reason I'm looking at the leave of absence is so I don't have to go through readmission to come back. My school needs the note if I sit out for more than 1 semester.

Louise

Veteran

Sorry to go against the general consensus I'm no expert but having recently been involved in recruiting staff I'd be really annoyed to employ someone and then have them regularly off with a medical issue that they didn't disclose on the medical section of the job application. If I were you I'd do some research on the legal implications. If you don't mention it on the application form and then do have lots of time off will they have cause to terminate your employment?

Here's an interesting article (the points relate to the British system but give food for thought) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/hom.....issue.html

And this one is an American article I think https://migraine.com/blog/shou...../comments/

Louise

Veteran

Just wanted to add the lady we recently took on suffers with migraines and this for us wasn't a barrier but because we knew about it before she started we have a plan in place if one strikes. She usually suffers in the evening and needs to 'sleep it off' the following morning so because I know about her condition we switch her shift the following day to the afternoon. Strong sunlight also brings hers on so on days when it's really sunny she stays inside with the children and one of the other staff goes out. She also appreciates the fact that I know as it makes her life easier being able to avoid her triggers and she doesn't feel like she has to lie about her reason for being off x

Kristin L

Veteran

Then you work for a great place, Louise. I'm afraid that if I'm upfront about my health problems, I simply won't be hired. And a lot of comments on the migriane.com article talk about how people living with migraines were fired because of missing so much work. My plan at a new job is to do what I do here. I have a migraine that lasts several days every week and I don't go home because of it. I'd hope that with a less stressful job, they will go away and I won't have to even deal with it.

Makrame

Veteran

You could also ask this question (about job interviews) on the Ask a Manager blog. It provides a great resource for job seekers and managers alike, and I think the author comes from the non-profit world. She also seems to be quite knowledgeable about the legal issues of employment.

Glory

Veteran

Kristin, because you cannot predict how your migraines will behave in a new position I would not mention it. You may suffer few or none with a change in atmosphere and less stress. They may strike at a time of day that makes it very manageable for you. Plus, you are now trying the botox aren't you? that might start to reduce your frequency.

MsMary

Veteran

Just come right out and ask the doctor: "Doc, I think the grad school stress is exacerbating my migraines so I've decided to take some time off. They are asking for a note from you saying [insert exact thing the note needs to say]. Is it okay if I email you a draft letter to save you the trouble of composing it yourself?"

Day Vies

Veteran

100% agree w/ Mary K. Employer's don't like to add people to their health insurance who they think will drive up their health insurance costs. (Even if they make you pay most of the premium!) I am sorry that you had to leave grad school. We'll be looking for jobs together!

Kristin L

Veteran

I've never heard of that blog Makrame. Thanks for the tip!

Glory - I haven't started the botox yet. We had some insurance changes right before I was suppose to get them and it's been pushed back. I'm not sure if I'll be able to get them now.

Thanks MaryK!

Day Vies - Don't be sorry. I just keep reminding myself that everything happens for a reason. Good luck with your job hunt!

Betti

If the migraines are from school stress, then leaving school would be the cure. There would be nothing to disclose to possible employers in that case, unless they ask if you suffer from migraines.

I know how hard it is to find a job, I've been searching for a year now. Best of luck to you!

ManidipaM

Veteran

K, I am sorry that you are in this difficult place. Not much I can say to the practical advice you need but I just wanted to mention my experience having been in a similar situation where I had to quit a grad course for the same sort of reason. In my case I switched courses and schools as a hiatus wasn't possible and simply having a different commute and environment made them vanish like magic. Wish you the same luck.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Is it a doc you've known for a long period of time? Can your neurologist write the note?

I write notes all the time for patients to be away. It doesn't matter what the note really says ... Mine generally say:

To whom it may concern,

Please excuse Jane Doe from all academic duties during the school year of 2013 - 2014 for medical reasons. In addition, she has been an inpatient at Generic Hospital for the inclusive dates of July 3rd to August 15th, 2013 and her treatment will continue as an outpatient coordinated by myself and Dr. Smith.

If additional information is required, feel free to contact me in my office (Office phone #).

Usually the university will ask me to fax over a "return to school" plan - and evidence that you have been in the hospital/under a doctor's care (I would then write a note to that effect). They don't need to know the details of why you can't be in school, only that you're excused from all of your duties.

I will often ask patients about the DETAILS of what needs to be in the note, but I always write the letters myself (even if the patient gives me a "draft") - I give a copy to the school address provided by the patient, and a copy to yourself as well.

Or are you asking how you should ask your doctor for time off? Is it your doc who suggested it?

elpgal

Veteran

Others have given you good advice re. your questions but I wanted to add that I know a lot of folk who took time off during grad school and every single one of them was happy they did it. Some returned to school, others found better things to move on to. I hope this is a positive change for you.

Nadya

Veteran

I see you're in the US. If you find that you still have chronic migraines while you're working, you may be able be protected under the Family and Medical Leave Act. I had a coworker who suffered migraines, and was able to count her intermittant time off against the twelve weeks protected leave FMLA provides. If you find yourself in that position, you may want to ask your HR department if that's an option.

However! I hope th change of pace puts you in better health and you find something you enjoy while you take a break and get healthy

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks Beth! Good luck to you as well!

Manidipa - I'm hoping the hiatus helps. I'm glad to hear that changing programs and environments helped you so much!

Lyn - I've been seeing this doc for a few months. I've never had to ask a physician for a note like this and I wasn't sure how to do it. It's my idea, so I don't know if he'll be comfortable writing it or not. I don't want to put him in a awkward situation.

Thanks elpgal. I'm glad to hear that others have done this.

@Naydia - Hopefully it will get better and I won't need to use FMLA. But thanks for the heads up!

Eliza

Veteran

K- much empathy with your situation here. While Drs. are often well aware of how severe a person's medical situation is, it can be hard for them to translate that directly into full knowledge of how it is for their patients as they face daily demands. When to make a major life change is a very personal decision, so if there is ambiguity about it, such options will most likely first be raised by the person coping with the illness. At the point in which you feel you need to try a structural change, it is very appropriate to ask a Doc for this type of letter.

I also know that many people leave grad school and return. My daughter just completed a masters degree in a great program. She knew from admission that she would have up to 5 years to complete the degree, though it could readily be completed in 4 semesters. Many students also attended part time by design or took a break to do relevant work.

I say that because economics, relationship changes, wish for experience in the field, health issues of close family members, uncertainty about the degree itself, etc., also can impact needing a change. Therefore, I would not focus on leaving grad school with prospective employers as much as what you have to offer them and how it would advance your personal goals (apart from your health) to do x, y, or z.

I admire your perseverance as you face this serious illness and try to make your health a priority. Migraines can be trivialized by many, despite the medical evidence to the contrary. I hope that your health improves and you can find efficacious treatment.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Oh, if you've known him for awhile, he should feel comfortable enough saying Yay or Nay - and if he treats migraines often (I believe you mentioned he was a neurologist?) - then he should have a good feel for whether or not he would be able to support the time off.

When you ask him, just approach it as you have here - you feel that it's interfering with your ability to finish your degree.

The only time we get shirty is when we see someone for 5 minutes and they're asking us for long term disability or something like this :p

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks Eliza!

I think that's what I'm nervous about, Lyn. But, I get nervous asking my major prof for time off. I've been seeing the neurologist (I think he specializes in migraines) for a few months and I'm not asking for anything like disability. Just a note so I can take time off of class and not have to go through readmission.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Don't worry I don't think it will be a problem! It sounds like he's on the inside track with you already and he knows first hand how bad things can get.

I hope things get better and you get some time to focus on other things, too!

Thistle

Veteran

Here is the deal:

#1. Do not tell an employer about your health condition. In the US, they are NOT allowed to ask. End of story. It could be an HR nightmare if an employer would ask and you report them. They are not allowed to ask about this, marital status etc. because employers would discriminate with this information. I have seen it happen first hand.

#2. You are covered under FMLA for migraines, but you have to meet eligibility first. This varies by state, but the federal law covers everyone. Still, you wouldn't be eligible for close to a year even in lenient states.

I am sorry the Botox didn't work

Kristin L

Veteran

Thanks Thistle. I haven't tried the botox yet (it had to be rescheduled because of insurance), but I think a lot of my problem is stress. I think if I can take some time off, then the migraines will hopefully get better. I still work full days with them, so hopefully I should be ok even in the real world.