I'm resurrecting this thread from my recent experience and perhaps to be an encouragement for others.

I work for a national Fortune 500 Company and have been on medical leave due to mental health reasons for 5 months. Having never been on disability before, I didn't know how to apply, which should have been to contact the disability department directly. The reason for my medical leave would have been kept confidential without my supervisor(s) knowing.

Since I had no idea of that and was paralyzed in deep depression/anxiety at the time, I called my supervisor's boss. She was the one who gave the information to me, so she, my direct supervisor and my co-supervisor all knew my diagnosis.

My supervisor assured me that the reason for my medical leave would be entirely confidential. Confidentiality is a BIG deal at my company. However, just having my supervisor know made me feel vulnerable.

Pdoc cleared me to return to work on Feb. 24 for 4 hours/day on light duty (which for my multi-tasking environment meant only one task at a time). I became increasingly anxious as the day approached and by the weekend prior I was having major panic/anxiety attacks and called in on my supervisor's voice mail (the anxiety made me too terrified to speak with him directly) and told him I had a relapse of symptoms, would contact my Dr. and keep him posted.

After a week of being on Ativan, I was amazingly calm this past Monday when I did return, however after being gone so long and leaving that message a week ago I wondered what the reaction would be.

I have always been a little frightened of my boss, as I am with many authority figures, which I now realize is part of my illness as well as my striving for perfection. I was pleasantly surprised that my boss has been exceptionally wonderful, gentle even.

It's kind of funny in a sad way (if that makes sense) that most everytime one of my supervisors sees me or passes by my desk they always say "How are you?" or "Are you ok?" Not having any knowledge of mental illness I wonder if they're thinking I might spontaneously combust or something.

Today was my annual review. Again, my supervisor could not have been nicer. After the review he said not to worry about having to get back into the flow of work too quickly; that we would take it easy and gradually work back to where I was. He said there was a training class for new hires that I was welcome to sit in on.

I was absolutely amazed...and gratified...and DEFINITELY have a new respect and admiration for my boss.

So, here is a "good boss" story to throw into the mix.