[sam1994]

I've been told my performance at work is really bad by my boss.. I used to be the #1 guy to goto when there was a problem. I am worried I am going to get fired. I have major depression, bipolar, and anxiety. I am really spacey, can't concentrate for a long period of time and can't remember things at all. Some days I forget what my password is to the computer system.
What should I do? I don't want to get fired or laid off. Any kind of laws that will protect me? I've been in therapy for over a year and half. Meds for even longer. Seen many doctors. I have been at the current job for 8 years.
Should I talk to a lawyer? Or start with HR? HELP!!

[(JD)]

((((hugs))) I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. Hmmmm... first let me advise you to document everything at this point...just in case you do need a lawyer. If you can get a free phone consultation with a lawyer, do so. Yes, there are some laws that protect in the USA, but I'm not a lawyer and not up on how it all goes. Can you ask your doctor, perhaps he will know more about those things. Have you googled/yahoo'd/askjeeves your State information on this?

Did your boss put this eval in writing, or warn you with job loss? Tell your boss you are having a rough go of it lately, but are working on it, and will talk to your doctor (he doesn't need to know what kind) about his (the boss's) concerns.

Good wishes.

[drummergrl]

Geez!!! if only I knew then what I know now. I always got relieved from every job I had. I just couldn't perform under pressure. I spent so much of my life under that microscope
from my family, and having had a bi-polar mother as well. I
just couldn't do it anymore. I was never good at the outside world. I was a Sgt. with a Security firm for about 10 years on and off. But never really worked daily except for a short itme up at Malibu. Anyway, I got relieved from there, too.
Now I can't work at all. I have a disability and bosses don't want to hear that stuff. They want a whole person who can be trusted, and counted on to be there. I guess I'm not one of them??? I don't feel so bad about it now. It's not so important to have a " financial" worth anymore. I used to put alot of stock in that, but it never worked for me. I'm married to a successful man and he didn't really want me working. I raised two kids. That's a job you try your damnest to get FIRED at!!!! lol........................

[MyBestKids2]

When things came to this point at my job several years ago, I took advantage of their short term disability plan. Was out of work for 6 weeks, stll received a check, and was feeling much better when I returned.

Take care,
Dee

[Direction]

UGH! this can really send shivers through your system...It may even make you think of giving up...

I will tell you that in most cases...supervisors are just trying to get the behaviour that you have either shown back to its level or correct something early on so it is not a problem...

I agree that you need to document things just in case...

Was the performance talk done in writting or just orally? Do you have a clear picture of what your supervisor wants from you to improve the performance in his eyes?

Knowing your longevity I think this can be resolved. There is so much more to say about this topic...I will have to get back to you on it...I have been supervising people for about 15 years...so there are a lot of things we can do to help...but I'll need specifics details of the performance issues...PM me if you prefer not to post them...

Regarding the spacey...immediately call your doctor and let him know that meds (if med related) is affecting your ability to work...If the spacey is do to something else...let me know...concentrating for a long periord of time...Here you are going to really need to schedule using a calendar with a reward system...work on x project y hours...then I get Blank...remember things...you are going to need to find a way to write absolutely everything down...This is one I have lots of issues with...Do you have a good planner like FranklinCovey's stuff

Document everything, but I would not suggest talking to a lawyer or HR...if your performance has declined they will most likely have cause...wait on HR unless the performance issues from supervisor are way off base...based on your description...I'm guessing they are not...

You can come out of this with a very positive outcome and work your way back up into say the top 3 "guys"...

[Direction]

I forgot to say welcome...So I'm glad you are here and recognize that you need to get some opinions on this...that is a big step

[sam1994]

It was done orally this time. I was written up about 7 months when I was in a very deep depression. I was not give clear things to fix. Just told I need to keep up on my tasks. My coworker is setting me up when I forget to do something. He emails the world on it. Makes me look like I am the bad guy. I have been threw so much over the last year and a half. I was thrown into a position at work that I really didn't have the skill set for. Having to learn a punch of new stuff when you are having major mood swings is next to impossible. I am going to talk to my P-DOC to see what I should do. Maybe going on disability for 6 weeks might help me and return to work some what normal and have more doco on what I'm up against.

Thank you for your help!

[Direction]

A talk with your pdoc would probably be a good idea...

Since you really don't have a clear idea of what you need to do...I think a candid conversation with your supervisor is in order (not about the depression). Strickly about work performance and what you need to do to be on track.

If you feel you are in over your head...Is there some additional training that can be given...

You know if you take the steps necessary to get a clear idea and then do it...there would really be a reason let you go...don't you think?

[January]

Hi Sam,

I totally agree with taking a short term disability. Call your pdoc and ask for an immediate meeting. Tell them you have an emergency. They can help you get the certification you need for a short term disability. Your family Dr. might be able to do it if you don't want your pdoc known to your boss.

Short term was, when I was working, six weeks to three months. It gives you a lot of time to get your meds straighened out and feel less pressured.

I wish you the very best,

January

[wbl526]

Hey Sam,

Your story sounds very familiar. I had a great job or so I thought, I thought I was doing really well until I had a shocking performance review that rated me the lowest score possible. I was heartbroken and very bitter about it. I ended up quitting the job after almost 2 years of trying to make them happy to no avail. I think jobs are a lot like relationships, unfortunately there is a stigma when you don't stick around in a bad work relationship which doesn't make sense.

Anyways, my advice to you is to begin looking for other career opportunities and in the meantime I would keep working as hard as you can to convince them that you are a great asset to the company, you never know they may change their view. Either way, if you have another job available as a backup you won't be devastated if things don't work out in your current position.

-wb

[Direction]

Sam, if you really feel your head is on the chopping block then you probably should work to line up a different postion...

However, you can't do it half in on both sides...you are either committed to improving to keep current job or you are committed to finding a new job...no one foot in and one foot out...that is not going to look good to a new employer or current one...

Sorry wb that your performance review came out of the blue...reviews are not a time for surprises...things should have been corrected along the way (meaning they should have had oral or written discussions about performance)...reviews should never be surprise to either you or your supervisor.

Sam, if you want to go short term to have a break to collect your thoughts...get med's adjusted, etc....probably a good decision talk with your pdoc...

When you got that under "control" you will probably be in a better postion to make some of these above decisions...as they say don't make life changing events when you are down or up...

[Perna]

Sam, can you make yourself a procedure book of some sort? I use to make lists and keep notebooks/calendars of information so I could be better organized. List steps and make checksheets for yourself? Since you forget your password, figure out a safe place to write/hide it or a way to always remember it, etc. Sounds like you have an idea of 2-3 ways you can improve things; doing those might make the difference? Maybe start with your write up 7 months ago? Write down what you need to remember instead of worrying about trying to remember it all. Keep a journal of your day so you can see what you did "yesterday" and what is due next week, etc. A little planning and documenting at the beginning, middle, and ending of the day can do wonders.

[shuba]

Go to these site's. This is a GREAT resource for us poor performers. I can't begin to tell you the nightmare I have had with previous employers. At my last job I spent a lot of time researching and preparing a letter to my employeer requesting accomodations. Before I could give it to them I was laid off.

You can ask for a "modification of the policy" which the EEOC says can be a form of reasonable accommodation. Read their information here: http://www.eeoc.gov/policy/docs/acco...html#workplace

JAN has some ADD and Bipolar publications that might be useful to you. They are on the website here: http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/adhd.html and http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/BiPolar.html.

I am working again, and the stress at my job is making me manic, I had to leave work because my back and neck are full of spasms. I also have ADHD. The job is 12 hour shifts, standing in one position, I can take breaks, but with the anxiety and irritibility Im experiencing it's torture. My employer does not know of my disabilities I'm 2 months away from getting into the Union. Every day is a challenge. Good Luck

[sam1994]

I am going to go on Short Term disability. I got yelled at today again for something way out of control. My pager didn't go off when there was a problem and that was my problem there wasn't a pager tower or some kind of problem and I didn't get the page. They wouldn't listen to me at all. They kept saying that it is my problem. Really messed up. I have had it. I can't do anything right for them and I think they are looking for any little thing to give me a hard time and make my life hell. I feel so awful. My depression is even worse now. I've had 3 panic attacks today. I can't take it any more I hope I get approved for short term disability. I have a note from my DR. Monday I give it to them and wait the 7 days for approval. Hopefully it is the right move. Any ideas how long you can before off on disability? My companies site show up to 26 weeks at 100% pay. Do my doc's tetermine how long I am going to be out?

[MyBestKids2]

Sounds like you are making a sound decision. Lucky you, my pay was 70%. 26 weeks sounds about right, some companies offer long term disability also.

Good luck and take gentle care.

Hugs,
Dee

[Direction]

It sounds like you are in a lot distress...time off is probably a good idea...100% pay for 26 weeks...not something you will find at just any company...I have 6 weeks at 100% pay and then it goes onto insurance...Short term is considered under 26 weeks and then long term kicks in...

Something you and your pdoc will have to decide when you are feeling more stable about the length of time being gone...when everything doesn't look so dismal...

Hoping the time will help you...

P.S. Most supervisors/companies are not looking to make peoples lives difficult...they are trying to run the business as best they can...hopefully in such a way they can give back to their employees with good benefits (which you appear to have), give back to their community, and make a reasonable profit. Keep it in mind and challange your thinking about this...as it will be the pretty much the same with any company...