Should I tell bosses about depression?

LegacyUser

Hi all,

I've suffered with depression on and off throughout my life. In the last few years I have got it very will under control with a certain antidepressant. This winter though, I seem to have lapsed a bit back into it. I have missed a good few days at work through just not being able to face it. Another cause I think is that I started to lower my dosage experimentally (with the doctor's blessing) with a view to going off them if I could. I now see that that's not going to do the trick so will go back to the regular dosage.

There are circumstantial problems which aren't helping. I don't get on mad well with my most visible boss (as in the one who isn't away in the office). I had a fúck up early in my job where I complained about working over ~60 hours a week over two weeks. I was exhausted after about ten working days off this and ended sleeping it out for a 9am meeting having finished at nearly 11pm the night before (and having started at 8am). I get paid less than 20k a year, so I just felt this was crazy. Since then I have been barely any work to do and have to stretch out the work I've been given over the day, which I hate. I much prefer being busy. The confrontation was last April and my job has been like this since. So that is definitely feeding into my depression. I messed up but feel I shouldn't keep being punished for it. My bench in the lab has been given to other people, and at the moment I'm sharing my computer with another girl so I don't even have my own desk space. I am also in a city where I have no friends and am away from my BF.

So, it's taken me a while to realise that I have slipped back into depression, though not to the extent I was a few years back. I first began to realise it over Christmas when I spent most of my time in my room away from my family, and didn't leave the house for over a week, which is unusual enough for me when I'm in good form.

In January, I have missed a lot of days and have been making excuses but now think maybe I should just chat to my bosses, but I'm not sure how to broach the subject. What should I do? Should I mention the D word?

Thanks!

RossFixxxed

In theory yes you should, and they should acommodate a serious illness.... HOWEVER, there is still that awful stigma associated with this, and some people are just jerks quite frankly. I would keep my cards close to my chest were I you. If things go badly and you are in any formal diciplinary meetings maybe that would be the time, and you can certify around it. I have personally seen a few people forced out or put on the dreaded PIP (performance improvement plan) and gradully squeezed out of the company.

It shoudln't at all be this way but sometimes it is. This is a tough thing for you and I would keep it personal for now.

Sorry it's a crappy answer, but there are crappy people out there.

LegacyUser

OK, well should I tell them that something is up without being more specific?

RossFixxxed

I can't tell you what to do. I would just sit down and say you aren't happy with the situation (losing bench, sharing computer etc) and see if they are willing to help. You could say it is affecting your ability to do your job and you are not happy with it. Personally, I wouldn't go saying anything else for now. Keep in mind I don't know your manager, office or workmates so I cannot possibly predict how they react to things.

Is it worth applying for other jobs in the meantime, and seeing what you can change in there?

You don't have to tell them anything, and it may make things worse. Be cautious.

neemish

I had to tell my bosses about my depression in 2010 when I was in hospital for a while. It took a while for them to come to terms with it, but overall they've been great. My line manager was the most difficult at the start, but now he has realised that its in their best interests to do their best with me because it minimises my absences. Plus I let them know if I feel myself slipping before it gets to the emergency stage so that we can try to stop it before it gets worse. Some examples would be, I don't work 12 hour days anymore - they wear me out too quickly. So if I know I'm going to be in late I start at 12/1pm. I always take a break at lunch. No food in the system does more harm than good.

HR and my bosses have been great - other co-workers haven't been as understanding. For example, one of them thinks I'm skiting off all the time. I have to basically ignore any/all comments that are made and make my own arrangements with my manager

I'd say be proactive. Arrange a meeting at a calm time, explain how you are, what you are doing to improve the situation. If at all possible, explain things in a positive light. This is your illness, this is what you are doing to manage it.

Good luck

Diziet

When you say you missed several days, did you call in sick? It may be worth getting a letter from your GP and get signed off for a week if you find it hard to cope. Whatever you do, employers don't like surprises, so if you are likely to need x days off, you should say so and pre-arrange it with a GP cert if at all possible.

I think it is ok to say "I have suffered depression, I am now on medication and feel a lot better' as an explanation of you missing days. I fear an open ended 'I suffer from depression and need unspecified amounts of time off' is less productive.

I have suffered from depression myself, so I am not being unsympathetic, but have a good think of the wording you use if you decide to talk to them.

IrishEyes19

I really am on the fence on this one. you are entitled to disclose this information and be treated fairly, but it really depends on the people you are working with. Do you know how they have handled any other people's complaints/issues in the past. I think maybe the GP letter is a good one. Perhaps have the letter outline the stress of your condition and the impact work has on it, but underline that you are capable of working.

Merkin

You should definitely see your GP about revising your dosage and how you have been feeling.

This may seem like suggesting something after the proverbial horse has bolted but I would not say anything. I wouldn't say anything simply because you need to look for a new job and start off with a clean slate elsewhere where you will be working reasonable hours and for decent pay.

It doesn't sound like there's much love lost in your current working environment so I'd concentrate on your own welfare and doing what's best for you. Once your new dose of meds hopefully kick in and help the cloud, use that boost and change in mood to do something positive and look for something that will make things a little easier on yourself.

username123

A friend of mine had to speak to her bosses re her depression, she spoke to an employment helpline first and they suggested excellent wording. The term I remember is "reasonable accommodation". Have a look at this link, it begins talking about disabilities but then goes on to talk about depression later on. Generally large workplaces with established HR departments will be far more helpful to deal with for such issues.

But overall yes, I think you should talk to them, you have an illness, its nothing to be ashamed of. Think of it this way, if you put your back out and couldnt come in you wouldnt think twice about telling them. Good luck.

LegacyUser

My initial thoughts were that no you shouldn't say anything. Then I read on and saw that you have already missed days. Because of this I think it is in your interest to tell them. You have probably blotted your copybook already by not coming in. This will not have gone unnoticed.