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Victoria here, Girlboss’ executive editor. 👋 |
Today's topic is one I think a lot of us don't talk about enough at work: whether or not you should disclose your disability at work. It’s a deeply personal decision, and one that author Jodi-Ann Burey has grappled with herself. Instead of offering a one-size-fits-all answer, she walks you through the questions worth asking yourself first. Let's get into it. 👇 |
Other stuff the Girlboss team is talking about on Slack: |
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💼 Job of the day: Fishwife (the cool-girl tinned fish company) is hiring a fully remote Social Media Lead to own its social presence, content strategy, and brand partnerships from the ground up. And you get your own content marketing budget! What a catch (of a role)! 🐟 |
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Whether you're trying to get through a wall of back-to-back meetings or need to lock in and get everything on your to-do list checked off, this supplement is worth adding to your desk drawer. |
Get 20% off with code BRAIN20NC. |
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“Should I Disclose My Disability at Work?” |
The answer: Jodi-Ann Burey, author of Authentic: The Myth of Bringing Your Full Self to Work. |
Nearly a decade ago, I received a spinal cord tumor diagnosis that changed my life. At the time, I’d been working at a public health organization for years and felt safe disclosing my diagnosis to my manager and colleagues, who went above and beyond to support me. |
But when I finally went back after disability leave, I realized my diagnosis and post-operative recovery experience made it mentally and emotionally challenging to return to the life I had before surgery. I felt overexposed, working alongside well-meaning colleagues who seemed to be waiting for the return of a version of myself who did not exist anymore. |
I still walked with a cane by the time I landed my first job interview. My cane was a visible, non-verbal disability disclosure, and I worried about being discriminated against, despite protections granted by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). |
Although I walked like a child wearing their mother’s heels, I managed short distances without it. Although I made a choice to hide my disability during that interview (and no, I did not get the job), I decided never to hide my disability at work again. |
This is my choice. It does not have to be yours. |
We each have a different set of privileges, risks, opportunities, and liabilities that change the calculus for our choices. Instead of advice, here are more interesting questions to consider before (or instead of) deciding whether to disclose: |
Do I have to be visible to be authentic? Remember, what other people know about you doesn’t change what you know about yourself.
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How will my demographic data be used? Consider how your data is used and stored, and whether it’s anonymized and/or confidential.
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How is disclosure used to slow or prevent resource access? Tell us about your fertility challenges, and we will provide surrogacy coverage. Tell us who your loved one was to you, and we will grant your bereavement request. Tell us why you are sick, and we will let you work remotely. In reality, whatever they say disclosure can do can be done without disclosure.
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What do I want from disclosure? We disclose because we’re looking for safety, belonging, and support to meet our access needs. In some workplaces, disclosure compromises our safety, belonging, and support. Build trusted relationships within your company, industry, or outside work. Institutional disclosures carry risk; communities help carry the weight.
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I stopped hiding my spinal cord injury, but I do not always disclose to colleagues and clients. I disclose inconsistently as a way to practice existing within systems on my own terms. |
Got a work problem you need help with? Drop it here, and the answer to your question could be featured in an upcoming newsletter. 📬 |
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What Team Girlboss has been loving lately. |
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📓 Do we need new stationery? No. Are we buying it anyway during Rifle Paper Co.'s Labor Day Sale (20% off sitewide with code LABORDAY20)? Duhhh. |
🧼 Old Navy sells its own line of beauty products now?! You can find yummy-smelling hair and body mists, body wash, and body lotion (with the cutest packaging)—and everything is under $15. |
🧠 Run a small team, or know someone who does? Talkspace Self Serve makes mental health benefits actually affordable and easy to set up—just same-day therapist access for only $15 per employee/month. Sign up today!* |
🧩 Executive Editor Victoria is planning on hobbymaxxing this fall, starting with puzzles! She was gifted this 300-piece one from Galison (illustrated by Elisabeth Dorrian) with a charming cobblestone street and cute little shops on it. So cozy! |
🔆 Brand Partnerships Manager Janelle has been using this eye concentrate from NIOD for about a week and a half now, and she’s already noticed her eyes looking brighter and more awake! And it just launched at Sephora! |
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*This link is sponsored. Apply to advertise in Girlboss Daily here. |
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