Thread: Being "out-ed"
View Single Post
 
Old Feb 24, 2012, 07:28 AM
Fresia's Avatar
Fresia Fresia is offline
Wandering soul
 
Member Since: Apr 2010
Location: Off yonder
Posts: 6,019
I had to turn in a physical health form for school that includes my MH diagnosis for the purpose of emergencies. It turns out it is not just going to the school program director but to the place we are doing our clinicals: to the manager and human resources. I had not intended, unless it became an issue with my work performance or in needing accommodations, to tell anyone and even then I was going to leave it as for "medical reasons" unless further information became necessary where appropriate. I am so uncomfortable with this I cannot begin to say, and freaking out actually.

Besides the fact I have not worked in several years and the clinicals are 40 hours a week, I am already concerned about the pressures of this and performance; I know we will be evaluated but added to this, will they be watching me closer than they would someone else b/c of the mental illness?! I don't know how to handle so much scrutiny but left alone to do the work. This was a potential employer so even if I do well and now knowing what they know, what are the chances they would hire me?! Also, this field is a small community, should I be concerned?! Should I talk to the program administrator?! Confidentiality should be in place, but it only takes one slip, wouldn't it be better if the information was not even available for the opportunity?! I am wondering if I am being paranoid, which could very well be, but knowing of things that have happened in the past and to others, it worries me.

As this form is for emergencies and having worked in human resources, employee physicals are kept with HR and do not go to the managers if places are structured this way and these places are. I wonder if I should "upset the apple cart" and plea to try to get this changed based on HIPAA and the Patient Bill of Rights so it does not go to the manager but directly to HR. Or wonder if I should let it be considering I am a lowly student and somehow try to suck this up, become comfortable with being "out-ed" despite this feeling of a violation of my privacy. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your consideration and for your reply.
__________________

I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it. -M.Angelou
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage. -Anaïs Nin.
It is very rare or almost impossible that an event can be negative from all points of view.
-Dalai Lama XIV