Posted by Alara on November 6, 2002, at 0:49:30
In reply to Re: Public disclosure of psychiatric disorder » Gracie2, posted by Cece on May 29, 2002, at 2:47:53
Gracie and Cece, just reading about your employer's requests for this information makes my blood boil! Talk about a breach of privacy! What business is it of theirs in any case?
A few years ago I had a breakdown at work and I was forced to tell my employer about it in order to keep my job. Thankfully they allowed me to keep my job on the condition that I told my colleagues about the depression - but I swear that few people in that company ever viewed me in the same way again. I was ostracised by many who were afraid of `mental illness' and this fuelled my feelings of paranoia, making my working life unbearable. I was one of the lucky ones, though, because at least I was allowed to keep my job!
When you're on a contract and you can be dismissed `at will', your employer/agency can arrange to have you dismissed if prejudice levels are high enough. When a contract is terminated here in Australia, the only requirement is that one week's notice is served. The employer is under no obligation to disclose the reason for sacking!
This is my advice to you, Gracie and Cece: LIE!!! The only time that you should disclose your medications to anyone is when your condition is so debilitating that you are unable to work effectively and need to explain yourself. Otherwise: Keep it a secret.
Society still has a lot to learn about conditions such as emotional disorders, epilepsy, and AIDS. The prejudice is still out there. Until you feel confident that people will accept a depressed person in the same way that they would accept a diabetic, hide.
It really isn't worth the loss of self-esteem, dignity, and employment security.
Alara
poster:Alara
thread:24808
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20021022/msgs/32003.html