Quote:
Originally Posted by filifera
Someone I work with has decided they need to make sure I (and everyone else) know he/she thinks I have a mental illness. That person logged onto a web site using my name, and ordered a bunch of mental illness and substance abuse brochures, and sent them to my office address, where the envelope and its return address were sure to be noticed.
The irony is that (duh) I already know I have mental health issues (major depression) and have been receiving treatment for this for more than 25 years. My employer also knows, because I had to request "reasonable accommodation" to rearrange my work conditions to be less stressful, because the job stress was really taking its toll on me. Yes, I'm now seeing a therapist, and yes I'm working with my MD on medications, and I am somewhat better than I was a few months ago, with the exception of this latest incident.
I really like the job and the employer, but some of my co-workers are really going out of their way to be nasty. My prospects for finding another job in this location doing the same kind of work at a comparable salary are close to zero, so I've decided to stick with it as long as I seem to have the backing of my managers.
They are of course appalled by the harrassment, but without proof that it happened on company premises, there isn't much chance of identifying and dealing with the jerk who did this. I guess if I really wanted to screw things up for everyone, I could lawyer up and cost them a bunch of money, but I don't have the energy for that, and it would probably have a bad effect on people I care about who work there also.
I'm not interested in revenge, either legal or personal. We already have enough trouble with stigma and stereotypes about people who nut up and blow away their co-workers. I sure could use some suggestions on how to deal with some of the absolute jerks I work with.
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How could you really like the job if more than one person is harassing you?
Never disclose personal health to employers. By law, they can't ask what the "disabling condition" is, only what they need to accommodate. Go to the Department of Labor website and research this yourself.
You need to take a firm, bold stand now or it will only continue. I worked in very difficult environments for many years so I know what I'm talking about. Take your boss aside, be direct, firm, and straight with them about what EXACTLY the harassing behavior is and from WHOM. Tell her that you are going to file a complaint with the EEOC if this isn't taken care of.
Being nice back to them doesn't cut it. Liking a few people there doesn't excuse the bullies behavior. You need to fight it head on. They pick on you because they think you are weak. It will only snowball.
Please do this for your health.