[Eva_Star]

I had my annual review today. Sigh. So I'm very open about being bipolar...it's what works best for me. If I have a bad day, I can usually work through it while remaining at work because I don't feel the need to run and hide...that being said, I have a newish boss. He knows but hasn't been around for that long to really understand.

So he gives me my review...which overall was pretty good. He said I'm very efficient, hard working, positive, productive, team player, likable..etc. Then he said that he was marking me down a bit because he feels that I should want more and actively be working toward moving up in the company ranks.

This really upset me because I like being behind the scenes, making everything run smoothly...plus, my mental health issues are much easier to manage if I'm not under a lot of stress and pressure. The upper management positions come with LOADS of stress and I just have zero desire to deal with all that. I know I would end up having a break down.

I didn't say anything at the time because I felt pretty unstable today as is. I felt it would be better to just keep my mouth shut. I don't know if its worth it to say anything or not..this affected my raise so it is a big deal but I am afraid he just wouldn't get it. Do you think it would be worth it to say something?

[GALAXYGAL]

I’m sorry you didn’t get your raise. If you’re not ready for management now it does not mean you won’t be ready for it in the future. I always thought a raise reflected your current level of production, etc. not what kind of employee you will be in the future of which it sounds based on your history you would be a valued future employee. I don’t think you should feel less valued because you don’t want to go into management whether or not you are bipolar. Personally, I don’t like his attitude and I don’t he is being fair so not sure he would warm up to you if you told him you were bipolar. Is there a pay scale for your position? If so, are you already making the most you can make per the pay scale? Maybe you could give it a couple weeks and talk to him again, after you calm down (not to assume you are upset), and give him a list of reasons he might want to consider giving you a raise. Maybe you can make a lateral move to another department in the company where you can do something similar that will pay more.

Good for you to manage your stress so you can continue to work when many people cannot. You seem like a rationale level headed person to me just because you are making good decisions about your health. I would give you a raise because I value my productive co-workers, many of them who are more productive then management