Quote:
Originally Posted by Jerrypharmstudent
I couldn't help but read this topic, for I had many of the same issues when I was working in Minnesota.
If I may - I'd like to recommend a book that I found at Amazon.com called "Working in the Dark: Keeping Your Job While Dealing With Depression" by Fawn Fitter & Beth Gulas. I'll post the review I made there here to give you an idea of what the book covers:
"It covers everything from how to disclose your illness to your boss/co-workers (if you decide to), your rights under the American Disabilities Act and Family Medical Leave Act, resources within your department/company that can advocate for you and much, much more. You're more protected than you know - and you *should* know - even if your depression is under control this is still a valuable book to have in case the darkness returns. Did you know that if you decide to disclose personal medical information to your boss that he/she cannot use that information against you in any way including talking to colleagues, other managers, supervisors, or co-workers? Did you know that you cannot be fired for disclosing your mental illness? Did you know that if you need to take time off due to your condition that when you return to work you must be placed back in your previous position with your same pay? Don't get me wrong - and as the book states - you certainly can be fired for poor job performance - but you have tools at your disposal to help you and your supervisor keep the communication open and clear. This book saved my job - and my sanity. If you're struggling at work because of depression - GET THIS BOOK."
I highly recommend this book (and I am in no way affilated with the publisher or authors). You can get it for $10. Here's the link:
http://www.amazon.com/Working-Dark-K...7468208&sr=8-1
I hope this helps some of you -it did me!
Hang in there
Jerry
|
Hi Jerry, I read your post and thought, hey, I'd buy that book if the title were
Working in the Dark: When Your Job Is The Source of Your Depression. I'm only half-kidding, I've been in the work force for a long time and I'm convinced that often our jobs either make us sick or help keep us sick. It's a bitter pill to swallow to know where I work they
claim to emphasize good health, staying healthy, getting healthy, yet employ abusive people in supervisory positions, force people to work in filthy, stifling or freezing environments (and by forcing I mean: first to deny the reality of the unsafe, unhealthy environment, and if the employee persists, say take it or leave as the answer if anyone complains or asks for relief), discourage and frown on people taking breaks, lunch hours, and vacation time. The work around for many people is to call in sick several times a week (some days I am the only employee who shows up), clock in and then simply disappear for hours, to deliberately not do the work, forcing someone else to do it, and to emotionally abuse each other. I'd say people would be shocked if I told them where I work, but some of what I have said above could apply to a lot of work places in the US. And here's the deal. I don't have any doubt that the people doing these things are suffering (from something). I believe most healthy employed people
want to work and do a good job, want to feel proud and a sense of accomplishment from putting their talents and skills to good use. But a lot of companies shoot themselves in the foot because they don't make sure that their employees can
actually do their jobs without serious trauma, physical and emotional. And I'm not talking about inherently dangerous work like police or military or firefighting. I'm talking about office work, factory work, retail. I often come home feeling as though I have been through a storm.