In my opinion, no, not on an interview. Perhaps if you got the job, and then you want them to be aware of extra bathroom visits. But that would be up to you. But it really isn't anyone's business about any surgeries you had. I work with a woman who has an over active bladder so she's in the bathroom literally every 30 minutes.

Thank you Marianne!

I agree with Marianne. Just like they can't ask your marital status, if you have children, how old you are, etc. Go for the job. If you don't like them - you can always turn down the job. Find out as much about them as you can. Maybe after you start working you can take an extra imodium so you go less during the day, if you think it's necessary.

They are going to be lucky to have you as an employee!

I have not had this question or general health issues ever come up in a job interview. I would suggest you focus on other questions you might get lest this become a distraction to your preparation for the more difficult questions.

I can very vividly remember the most difficult job interview I ever had, with a law firm about 21 years ago. I had done well in an initial interview with the firm, and was brought back for a second interview by the five named partners of the firm. In researching the firm I had noticed that all the named partners of the firm had graduated from the same law school, which is affiliated with the institution I went to undergrad. I did not attend their law school, for the simple reason that I wanted to commute to law school.

During the interview I was asked if I had applied to that law school and I responded that I did not. The five partners found this to be incredible and were not accepting my answer, even though it was the truth. They said to me, "well, you went to X school undergrad, and you got excellent grades, so why didn't you apply to their law school?" And I told them the truth, that I only applied to one law school, the one which I graduated from, because I wanted to commute and live at home (and this was actually due to financial reasons and being a UC sufferer at the time, although I did not elaborate). They did not believe me. I was pounded with variations of the same question to which I responded with variations of the same answer. It was bizarre to say the least, but in retrospect I think they were testing me to see how I could handle questions that would fluster an ordinary person. And I did get flustered and did not get an offer from that firm (not that I wanted to work there that badly anyway).

thanks. I love working for small mom and pop HVAC places. And this is a small company. Much farther than I have ever traveled for a job before, I am used to working close to home and NO traffic. I live in Norfolk and this is out at the oceanfront in Virginia Beach (I know could be worse huh). So I will focus on the job at hand and hope they have a bathroom they don't have to share with others at the same time So now just waiting on the time for an interview to be set up. I have really enjoyed being at home these past months but it is time to bring in some $$$.

Good luck with the interview when you have it Holly!

As a former HR Director, I can tell you they cannot ask you any health related questions. They could ask "are you able to perform the job duties as described, with or without reasonable accommodation?" However I doubt a smaller company would even get into this.

Should you get the job, see how it goes. If it seems extra bathroom trips are no problem (ie if you aren't tied to a call schedule or production line) you may never need to talk about it. If you find you need to discuss it, be very direct, clear and honest. Say you need an accommodation for extra bathroom time. If the company is really small, they may not be subject to ADA, though, so if you can manage it without discussing till you get a sense of the environment its best.

Definitely not, unless as Jill mentioned, the job required you to be on a line, or had some other critical component.

Sue

Have an interview tomorrow morning at 10. Lots of bathroom visits today, hopefully it is just nerves. This job is a job that does require you to be at your desk alot it is an hvac dispatcher and the cooling season is almost here!!Very busy position.

I think most people have interview and new job jitters. And then things settle down.

If I'm doing something that is really, really stressful I'll take a betablocker beforehand. That seems to really help. I take the smallest dosage to get the job completed.

The very best of luck tomorrow Holly!

kathy

I once had very loud tummy rumblings repeatedly during an interview. We all pretended it wasn't happening. I got the job.

Hey Holly!

I work dispatch for a very large corporation. When I came back for my 2nd interview, I felt comfortable enough with the gal who ended up being my boss so I informed her briefly of my condition; this was all my will. She was very understanding and I still got the job! I still frequent the bathroom quite often but all of my coworkers have been understanding and I've yet to have any issues.

Good luck and don't be nervous!

Good luck tomorrow Holly! Let us know how it goes...I used to live in Newport News and absolutely LOVED the VABeach area...fingers crossed for you!

Well, I backed out of the interview. I got so stressed out thinking about how awful the traffic was to and from that job location that I had a horrible night and thought for sure I was going to have to call the doc this morning for meds. But when my husband asked me to please not go to this interview this morning and stick to the game plan and find something part time and near home I was totally relieved. I think my brain is just wired to believe I HAVE TO work an 8-5 M -F job. I work with him almost every weekend (working on his dad's rental properties or doing different things at the building he manages) so I have to realize I actually do work. thankfully I have a supportive family and NONE of them wanted me to go on this interview! But thanks all for your support, today is my 1 yr anniversary date from takedown.

Gotta love our spouses! My hubby is the same way....he'd rather see me healthy and not stressed out. I work part time but I do also have kids that I still need to be home for although they are getting older and more self sufficient. I am considering upping my hours at work but not sure yet.

Oh, and happy 1 year pouchiversary!!

Thank Marianne, it has been a tough year but was worth it in the long run. My youngest graduates from college next month and is moving out of state, I will have empty next syndrome really badly. Enjoy them while they are young it goes by so quickly.

Look at it like this, smokers take breaks, people gossip, etc. You go to the bathroom, no big deal. Keep a bottle of loperamide in your bag, pop a couple to slow things down. Also try and regulate your diet. The way that I look at it, if you are trying to resolve the issue, then you're doing your part... no worries, and good luck on your interview!

I would not be able to do my job if I still had my j-pouch or UC. I work at Mall of America as a makeup artist. I'm generally with a client about an hour at a time. And...we don't have a bathroom in our store. We have to go over to Nordstroms..which is about a 3 minute walk.

Holly,
Sounds like a good plan to me. I was working part time before I had the surgeries because of UC and other health issues. I'd just like to suggest you get paychecks for the work that you are doing. This way if things do get worse down the line you will be able to file for social security disabiity income. I'd paid into it since I first started waiting tables at age 15 and because I'd worked so many quarters out of the last so many I could apply and the amount of the benefit is based on your entire record.

I know I'm sounding like Debbie Downer but just wanted to tell you about it.

I think this is a good situation for you.