As a manager of a call center, I will voice my opinion. It sounds like there is no structure what so ever in this work place. You get into a lot of detail about your co-worker's personal lives. I am not saying that it is wrong to know about the personal lives of your co-workers but I do know that it makes everyone more vulnerable to the situation when the personal isuess that the employees are experiencing is being negatively reflected in their work.

Some workers who have mental illnesses chose to share it with their boss/co-workers and some don't. Personally, I don't think it is a good idea but many beg to differ. Either way, that information is private and most times, the worker is sharing it about themselves in hopes that others can better accomodate (this should be the reason why they are sharing their medical problem).

If this co-worker is saying racial things that are completely unaceptable at the work place, bipolar or not it cannot continue. The other workers do not have to put up with this and disciplinary action should be taken to protect them as well as the company for being liable. You could urge the person who is suffering from a mental illness to seek treatment perhaps but either way, it is not fair to the others. Do you have any type of a nurse hotline or medical hotline that your company provides to employees? My company has one that employees can call for issues like alcoholism, spousal absuse, mental illness, ect. It is included in their benefits and would be a tactful and appropriate way to help the employee realize they need medical attention without coming off as pushy.

I know it's a very tough situation but if you are a boss, it is okay that people come to you with personal issues but it should be expressed to them that they need to keep the information private with you and not spread it around the workplace.

~Lia
crazymusiclvr@aol.com