Starting a new job and seeing a counselor

LegacyUser

I need a little information from others who have been to see a counselor. So I'm about to start a new job in a weeks time but I'm also about to start counseling for an anxiety disorder I was recently diagnosed with and I'm worried that my working hours will conflict with the counselors times as the hours for the area I will work in can be unpredictable. I can be called in at any time to work any day of the week depending on the rooster and I'm not sure how this will work with counseling as I don't want to tell anyone about it especially my employers because its a new job and it might look bad.

I also know that there is a big waiting list for counseling especially in the area that I need and I'm afraid I could loose my spot for not being able to attend the times I was given. Has anyone else been in a similar situation? and if so what way did yous approach it. There's no body I can talk to about this as I want no body around me to know. Thanks!

Kevster

Hey, I was also diagnosed with an anxiety disorder (amongst other things...), but that was about 10 years ago. Coincidentally, I am also about to start a new job, but I am not at present on schedule to see a counsellor. I did see one in the past, though, along with other more-qualified mental health professionals.

If it were me, then I would first talk to the counsellor to see which times s/he could offer - Could s/he offer an 8AM appointment, for example?; or one after 5PM?

You say that your work hours will be unpredicatable, but are they at least within a certain time-frame with which you could manage(say, 9AM - 6PM)? You could either ask your employer that you need a certain morning or evening free each week. Employers can be very accomodating and you shouldn't have to say why exactly you need the certain morning/evening free...

Kevin

Reoil

They usually operate between 9-5, and you'll get a set time and day off the week - e.g. Every Friday at 1pm. Pick an hour for lunch or at the beginning and end of the day.

But you're going to have to tell your work. Don't say what it is, specifically, just say that you have an ongoing medical appointment that you would be very grateful of a little understanding on their part for the duration of the treatment.

RossFixxxed

It's one of those things, you SHOULD be able to tell your employer, and they SHOULD treat it professionally and with understanding. However, in reality, and several times for me, they don't. Do as Reoil said above, say you have an appointment, personal, and you will need to go for a while. Try and get outside hours too, or see if you can do an early shift that day or such?

I'd keep it to myself to be honest. It's not ideal, but it's not an ideal world.

username123

It really depends on the company. Generally speaking, the bigger the company, the more likely the proper HR procedures exist around giving employees support and confidentiality through treatment for mental health issues.

Outside of disclosing the nature of the medical appointments - you could simply say it was on going physiotherapy for some injury or other (a bad back for example could have ongoing treatment).

Id normally be in favour of being honest, but without knowing the company in question and indeed the OPs role in it - its hard to say.

RossFixxxed

I do agree username123, but there is a disconnect from the theory and reality. A big company MAY have great proceedures, but a specific person can just take a dislike etc and there are many ways to make you unhappy and want to leave a job that are perfectly legal. The good old PIP (performance improvement plan) etc, that 3/4 people end up not passing etc. It has happened me more than once, and in a HUGE company once.

Best in a new role to play it safe and not stand out at the start. Physio is a great suggestion.

username123

+1 above.

Unfortunately the world we live in is not perfect. Particularly in a new job!

I actually had to attend physio for ages after I started a new job, it was in a public hospital so I had no control over the times and they were always within working hours. It was fine.