Disclosing to your Employer

For better or for worse, HR/Legal approved my accommodations which include more frequent breaks, use of this website during working hours, and medical leave as needed. No going back now.

Especially considering that most US states are at-will employment states. Unless there's overt discrimination, an employee can be fired with or without warning, for any or no reason. They can and will find ways around. I was a sub-contractor for a large firm that provided IT outsourcing services. After 18 months of praise and thinking I walked on water, I was unceremoniously terminated. The lame excuse... I wasn't a good representative of the company to the client. Which was just after they found out I'm gay. They stayed just this of the lawsuit line.

For better, and most likely while thinking (maybe even only) of the company's best interest while reviewing what you can do there. Bearings that occasionally squeak get some as-needed oil -- bearings that begin howling get replaced. However, I never had any two employers deal with all things in exactly the same ways as each other.

Wow that sucks. I still can't believe that sexual orientation is not a protected group.

To be honest, I've lived a charmed life. I'm very optimistic and trusting in the goodness of people. I see this is a protection. I'm capable of being disruptive, and I can't always help it. Sometimes the best thing I can do is not be around people, even if it's for a 15 minute walk.

The benefits director has really stepped up. I can tell that she hasn't had a case like this and she is doing her due diligence to make sure it is done right...and try to make me feel comfortable in her own rattled way. I seem to be the first bipolar person she's ever been face-to-face with. She is trying to be cheery and nonchalant the best she can, but she's so nervous, bless her heart (as we say in the south). I appreciate the effort so much, though. She has been discreet and has spoken to my direct supervisor about my accommodations which he supports as long as I communicate with him.

It was over 20 years ago, and the company I work for now is gay-friendly. The sad part is that it was NJ, which has had anti-discrimination laws since forever (I love this corrupt little blue state ). But you are right, given the uproar over the SCOTUS ruling on same sex marriage in the US, we are one of the last groups it's still acceptable to hate.

I'm a tech support agent and I told my employer. They have been very good with working with me, allowing me to make changes to my schedule for Dr's and therapist's appointments. I've had to leave early sometimes when the workload has been very intense because the stress from the clients was causing anxiety attacks. They have held my position twice while I was hospitalized twice, both times for nearly a month and presently, I'm on a month LOA (leave of absence) due to my bipolar rearing it's ugly head. It has been beneficial for me to disclose the information to my employer. Not everyone there knows, only the people who need to know. I do understand, though, why it would be hard in certain situations where it wouldn't be ideal to tell your employer and that everyone's employer is different and may not handle it the same way.

Thanks. That is encouraging to me. I've only been here since July so I wasn't sure what to expect. I respect people for wanting to be need-to-know basis. It's probably best. Even though it can get uncomfortable, I prefer people to know. It helps people understand me a little better, and it also helps break the stigmas. I've never suffered from stigma but most everybody in this community would say that they have. If people see me taking my meds, doing my best, it helps other people. People don't automatically think I'm MI, but I think they know there is something. Other people with BP can spot me a mile away even if I thinking I'm passing.

But this brings up a good point. When people know I am BP, I put this pressure on myself to try to be normal so that people won't worry about me or feel uncomfortable. I'm not all that sure that that is a good idea. I am who/what I am. It gets messy sometimes. I dropped the f-bomb loud and clear in earshot of the entire HR dept in casual conversation with the hot trainer today. I got a dirty look from someone as I left. I can't think of a single person in this building who would do that. I don't work on the loading dock or out on the construction crew. I'm a software engineer expected to be office-appropriate and professional.

And if I get brought up on it, then I have a choice. "Sorry, it will never happen again." or "Sorry, Bipolar. Can't help it, see ya...I'm going to take my extra break now." I don't want to be that guy, but that stuff's gonna happen from time to time.

I had a serious discussion with my t about this yesterday because I've been struggling ever since I got out of the hospital on who I should or shouldn't tell. She reminded me that I am under no obligation to tell anyone, even my family, unless it can in some way be a detriment to myself or others. For right now, I do not plan on disclosing anything to them since I am still able to function and do the job I was hired to do. My big thing is that I throw myself into my work and it causes me stress, which then causes my BP symptoms to skyrocket. This of course is only a small portion of my BP triggers, but nonetheless, I have to learn to cut back in the amount of time and energy I put into work because I fear it will just land me back in the hospital.

I didn't tell my employer. I was there for eleven years. I never would disclose. And towards the end I missed a lot of work due to hospitalizations. Eventually I was a moron and impulsively quit.