To Disclose or Not Disclose, That is the Question
In October of last year, on the day I was scheduled to be participating in a pre-conference writing workshop in Utah, I was instead receiving the news that I had a lesion in my skull. I stared at the words, “malignancy suspected,” displayed in MyChart, then looked at my husband, unsure of how to proceed with, well, anything. Should we tell our kids? My boss? HR? What would we tell all of the people who needed to know about my health while I waited for an appointment to see the neurosurgeon, waited for my surgery date, then waited for the biopsy?
I know this is a blog mostly about technology and librarianship, but I wanted to write about something that is equally important to me in the workplace: if, how, and when to disclose a medical issue at work. This could be an entire law review article (or book), but I think it’s important to talk about this topic in a shorter format to get the conversation started. I’m not shy about talking about disability and accommodations, but I have been used to doing this from the perspective of a hearing-impaired individual, not someone facing surgery that would leave an obvious scar on her forehead.
I decided to tell my boss right away what I was going through. I am incredibly fortunate to have a supportive supervisor – if I didn’t, I could see a myriad of reasons to wait to disclose a medical issue, and even after disclosure of a medical issue or disability, there’s the issue of how much to share with an employer.
Here are some of the questions to ask yourself as you make these decisions:
- Do you need any accommodations as a result of your disability? This question applies during the job application process, too.
- What is your workplace culture surrounding disabilities and accommodations? Don’t just ask HR this question. Ask trusted co-workers.
- Do you have supporting paperwork from your physician(s)?
- Should you disclose your disability to just your boss or to your co-workers as well? This is a gut check question. You’ll intuitively know if you can trust others with your private information.
I decided to share with my team that I was facing a difficult medical issue and would be having neurosurgery. I could do this because I trust my co-workers and knew they would support me. My boss never pressured me into sharing any information and it was completely up to me when and what to share. Do not let any supervisor tell you otherwise.
I know that in this political climate, talking about inclusion, even for what feels like the basic human decency of accommodating a disabled person, can feel fraught. If you are facing a situation where you are deciding whether to disclose a medical issue, know that you are not alone. Every situation is unique, and while there are laws that protect you, navigating each situation in the workplace is complex. And this is on top of the emotional decisions you’re already making in your personal life as you face the unknowns.
Here we are at the beginning of 2026, and I am indeed the proud owner of an obvious scar on my forehead from neurosurgery. As I face my follow-up care this year, I go into this knowing I have the support of my employer, and that alone is a huge relief.
Like I said, if you have a medical issue and are trying to decide if you should disclose it to your employer, you’re not alone. I’m here. I am so thankful to still be here.
Further Reading
Keely Cat-Wells, Should You Disclose Your Disability At Work?, Forbes (Jan. 11, 2026)
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