Working while bipolar.. what accomodations are avail?

Hi there,

I was wondering if you folks who are working while bipolar (symptomatic or easily triggered) have requested any accomodations at work. And in addition, was HR helpful or more judgemental?

At the last job I worked at, I was treated horribly when I requested minor accomodations like being in a more isolated area instead of being in a cube where you can see everyone around you. I also asked for a reduced workload which was not taken well.

I am starting a new job at a startup private company and I am already worrying about when and if I should tell them about my illness. It is a way less stressful and a way smaller office, so I don't see myself being nearly as at risk for being triggered than I was at my last job. If I am having trouble with my mood I usually take a brisk walk, even if its just to grab a water, to cool down. That's my plan for now.

Does anyone have any advice for me? I'm interested to hear about your experiences with work and accomodations.

Lisa

Lisa,

A start-up private company would not have a separate HR team, at least not a big one. Maybe one person?

I would go with your plan for now - taking a brisk job etc. Have high-protein snacks available. See how it goes without disclosing first.

Good luck!

Thanks for your feedback. And yes, having food available is a great idea. I constantly throw a granola bar or a piece of fruit in my purse. There's nothing like being hungry to put you in a bad mood!

Lisa

I went 5 years undiagnosed and in a fast cycle in my commercial real estate office. Because we were in cubs, the office had to ride the thing with me. I'm surprised I was not fired sooner. At anyrate, I wish I was medicated and diagnosed so that I could have shared things with my boss. I think it's important to say 20 or so percent of people have depression and 1 in 17 or so have mood disorder and that you are in those percentages, and wanted to be open about it so that if you seem down it may not have anything to do with work. This would have horrified me before, but I lost everything over the disorder and drinking and the honest rout would have been so much better.

I do not recommend disclosing unless it is absolutely necessary. I disclosed right away because I was not functioning well, and I wanted accomidations. I was told that I could never be promoted or moved from my position because of having bipolar. I was then allowed to give them ideas for accomidations, which were reasonable. Like frequent breaks, being able to call my doctor if I needed it. Nothing major. None of those have been met.

I have been treated very poorly especially by HR. I have worked very hard to gain teh respect of my boss, which I have now. But I still live under constant threat that any small mistake and I will be fired. And also if I don't remain "stable" with being organized (which is near impossible for me,) then I will be fired. I work in fear. It's terrible. Yet I still can't focus but somehow get things done. And, I work in health care, so there you go.

I'd say don't disclose... There aren't typically accommodations unless you've maybe been somewhere awhile and then "get ill" and could ask for adjusted hours or work remotely. Most people are still pretty afraid of someone "going all bipolar" ... I wouldn't mention it if you can avoid it. Get settled in at the job, then ask later for the accommodations you feel would help you do your job better.

Bless your heart. I will be starting a new job next month and I'm nervous too. I haven't worked in a year.

I feel for you, hmbfam. Even though its so common, I still feel like theres a stigma towards mental illness, its awkward, not a lot of people know how to deal with it/work with us. I wish managers had to go through some sort of sensitivity training.

Dark Heart,

Im so sorry to hear that you've had such difficulty at your job. I feel for you because that's how I was at my last full time job. I hope that it gets better for you so you aren't afraid anymore.

It helps me to hear this though because its more common than I thought. I just mentioned to another response to my post that I think people in authority (not just HR) should be required to go through sensitivity training. The way we are treated would never be acceptable if we had a more physical, apparent health issue.

Thanks so much for your support, you give great advice, I've been reading your posts on here for a few days.
-Lisa

Thanks Blue,

I will do what you suggested, just kinda put my feelers out there and take it easy. It sounds like a way more relaxed job so I don't seeing it being a problem. The job also will have the option to work from home some days, so thats even better.

Thanks for your reply,
Lisa

Congrats, Coco!

I think we should both pat ourselves on the back, this is a huge accomplishment and committment.

Good luck to you as well!

there IS such stigma and fear. at one point i wanted to start a campaign and educate the world. now, i am terrified of disclosing anything. even if i was say, depressed and on antidepressants, which seems common, i would hesitate. we just aren't treated the same after disclosure.

i thought at one point that if i disclosed up front , then i wouldn't fear being FIRED for having symptoms. now, i think if i disclose my illness i would not be HIRED in the first place! ( i am currently unemployed and am terrified about going back to work soon)

even my therapist told me that i wasn't being realistic about disclosing my illness up front. i couldn't believe she said that! so basically my therapist was telling me to keep my illness a secret. what a bummer that we have to HIDE this. it makes me so sad.

All of my friends and family know but I'd never disclose at work. I just tell people I have a medical problem and see a doctor if they ask/want to know.

There isn't enough time to educate every individual about the disorder so its easy for people to make assumptions if they hear you have it. My friends have done this before, but I can actually tell them why I behave a certain way.

It's easy to start feeling like, "What a relief! I finally know what's wrong with me. It's an illness. It's not my fault. Now I want to spread the word and help change the world and its attitude about bipolar! I'll start at work. I'm such a great person and a great worker that they will understand that I can't help this. It's an illness, I'm not bipolar on purpose, and I'm not trying to get attention. But there are laws and they will have to make accommodations for me, but they will be so willing to help me because they HAVE TO. Plus they know me and they'll carry me along the best they can. I'll be fine, so I'll be open and honest and disclose my illness."

Don't fall for it.

Sure there are laws and the ADA.

But why would they want to deal with us? They have enough going on with trying to keep companies going and keep "normal" employees on the right track.

Why would they want to give us a lighter workload? Or a quieter work area? Or more break time to get centered? Or time off to go to the doctor?

What will the "normal" employees say?

They can easily fire you and hang another reason on it other than bipolar.

Keep as much information to yourself as possible.

Hi Mary,

Thanks so much for sharing. I feel the same way you do, and unfortunately, especially in my situation starting in a small startup company, I really can't disclose. I've never worked in a place with HR.

Even if there was HR though, I do think there is still a negative stigma against us.

Thank you for your input, I like the way you handle it.

Purpledaisy,

I agree with you, and even more so, a lot of the reasons people get hired/fired are social reasons. I don't care what people say, there are still decisions made on appearance and how people "fit in" together.

It's a shame that the bit above in quotes isnt really how it is. Even though it is SO common, people just want us to go away... but someone with a disability that you can SEE its just the opposite..

I wonder if in the future this will ever change.
*sigh*
Thank you for being blunt. I can handle it, and I appreciate your advice.
-Lisa

HR Depts aren't any nicer to a bp person from what I've heard, they still work for the company and will do what's best for the company big picture but making sure labor laws are followed. Best bet I think is doing a great job and get to know owners, if it's a startup puts you in a good position to grow with them. They just might end up giving you leeway if an episode comes on and you need time off, but they are trying to run a business and need reliable people... It's a jungle out there for job seekers, employees and small business owners. I think working in a startup company could be a good fit. And wish you much luck with it.

I only disclosed because I was quitting. I came clean with the HOD (Head Of Department) because it felt like the decent thing to do, and explained that I had to quit because I was constantly triggered.

He talked me into staying and has kept his word that my job would be more flexable. HR doesn't know, only my direct supervisor (who is now also my very good friend) and the HOD. Between the 3 of us we make it work.

I wouldn't advise to disclose though, just gives them ammo they may need in the future.

When it became necessary to disclose to HR, I asked for three accommodations. I was a professor and I asked not to have out of town classes unless I could ride with someone (I couldn't handle the traffic when depressed), an online class every semester if there was I was eligible to teach, and no early classes (before 9am). The first semester back full time from a leave of absence EVERY accommodation was broken. I lasted about 3 or 4 weeks before I had to go on leave again.

Just throwing my hat in the ring here and advising you not to disclose. Laws only go so far, and depending on the size of your career circle, news could leak to other potential employers. Blacklisting still occurs. And as purpledaisy said, if they want to fire you, they'll find a reason. Discrimination is often difficult to prove.

I'm actually having a similar struggle. I will be starting full time work soon after a stint in the psych ward, and I'm just praying that I figure out the right combination of meds before then so as to avoid any spazzing during work hours. Good luck to you.

This. This. THIS!! ^^

You just described the first year after my diagnosis. I disclosed when I had a severe manic episode that I just could NOT hide, and scared the hell out of my co-workers. Then I got the bright idea that as an employee who was both bipolar and a registered nurse, I could educate everyone and serve as a shining example of a person who was living successfully with a mental illness.

Now I am sadder and wiser, because I painted myself into a corner by accepting the accommodations I was offered. Now when they decide to fire me because the facility can't pass its fourth state survey, they'll be able to say "Look, we gave her accommodations and she still can't do the job."

I will do my damnedest never to disclose to another employer, ever again. If I get sick, I get sick, and I'll deal with it if/when it happens.