My Boss has learned that I am depressed.. will I be fired?

I have been keeping my depression a secret at work. Well, I spilled the beans, I shared with my supervisor that I was helping people in the office and at one of the city’s hospitals and I have my blog. I also commented that several people have written in and I have tried to proved help and guidance. The next thing I know he says, what is the web address? I try to think what can I do.. well I gave it to him. He looked at it, sat me down, talked to me and truly seems to care.
The truth is I am afraid, will I get fired, passed over for promotion, will this address get handed out to others in the office?

I have many other concerns and issues, I know that everytime people find out about my depression it has never been good for me. -really-

God help me to get through this.. I truly make my own problems..
I feel dark clouds coming.

There are people that have been fired because of their on-line "identity", so to speak. I honestly wouldn't worry about it. You're not doing anything wrong or illegal, and if they wanted to fire you, they'd have to have a real reason to do so. Just make sure you're not using the company computers for anything other than work. If they let you go because of an illness, you would have just cause to sue them. They're not allowed to discriminate against you, or anyone else.

Indigo is right, they have to have more of a valid reason to fire people other than being depressed. as long as you're doing your job and not endangering anyone

I am not an expert but this is how I understand employment.

If you have a contract that specifies what work you will do and for what length of time both you and your employer are bound to follow that contract. If either you or the employer breaks the contract you or they may have a penalty or such.

Most employees are "at will" employees with no contract. That is the type of employment I had as a RN at a hospital. I could stop working for any reason whatsoever and state law only mandated that I give a weeks notice. Likewise they could terminate me for any reason EXCEPT for discrimination.

If you belong to a union then there are different rules as specified by the union.

So my question to you is do you have a contract or are you an at will employee? Do you have a union?

Actually letting them know that you are depressed could work in your best interest. If you are an at will employee they can terminate you because they don't like the color of your shoes or whatever but they can NOT terminate you for being disabled. I don't know if your depression is defined as disability but you could ask your therapist or Pdoc to clarify if you are.

Good luck.

When I shared very briefly with my boss, she was genuinely concerned that I was getting help with it.

At work, it is work performance that is what is important. That can include the tasks a person is responsible for as well as decisions made and interactions with others at work and clients. That is what is measured, evaluated.

I don't share much in the way of personal things at work. If I had a blog I would not want that to be open to my employer and co-workers. If I had a blog and I knew my employer had access to it, I would no longer feel to write freely. If I was in your position, I would password protect the blog to lock it up and begin a new one at a new site. I would do this because blogs tend to be very personal, very in the moment, and can so easily be misinterpreted.

That's what I would do, but I am me...and you are you.

Echoes is so correct. I would password protect that blog in a blink and create a new one with a different email addy and everything to prevent anyone from 'searching' and finding the new one.

I would have to say I would be scared too. I suppose you will have to watch your supervisors behavior to be able to tell (if at all) what they think about you now. And I would suggest you really be on guard for a while until you figure out their intentions.

As far as I'm aware, you can't be fired simply because you're depressed unless it's having a real negative impact on your job performance. Why don't you sit down with your supervisor and ask that they keep the information about your depression to themselves?

http://www.allbusiness.com/legal/con...nt/1072-1.html

http://depression.about.com/cs/disability/a/ada.htm

Byz I was thinking about the at-will thing too. Most of the time all employees are at will unless, like the article states, they are under a specific contract. And that depression wouldn't qualify as a disability if you are "functioning" doesn't surprise me either. Both things are sad, but reality.

I would be really careful LoneScout.

With the economy the way it is, employers are looking to get rid of the higher salaried employees. Need that money to pay the bonuses.

Thank you all for your help! Yes I am in a no fault state where they can release me at any time for any reason. It is a challenge. You have all provided me with some technical ideas that I can use to continue to express myself online but be *safe*.
You are all great! Thanks you - Yoda, PerpetuallySad, TheByzantine and just floating.

I am a bit late on this but I want to share my experiences. The main caution is to not give them cause to dismiss you. The problem people with depression have with employment is getting up to get into work. Some employers are understanding of this and some will use it to push you out. In short do not give them cause. Otherwise you have the law on your side.

I understand your position, and hope that your supervisor is indeed genuine.

I had struggled with owning up to my bipolar. I decided to tell my supervisor of the situation. I explained that my issues were due to both work and home stresses, and that I was slipping into a deep depression.

I had been bought in to his office due to absences. There was also concern from my coworkers that I seemed to be not myself, and that they were concerned. He then mentioned that he to had noticed.

I was encouraged to get help, and do what I needed to do. The support that I have been given is priceless.

You can give as much or as little information as you feel comfortable. I wish you well, and hope that you the support that I have gotten.

This has been on my mind a lot lately. The times I feel unable to function have been much more frequent. I'm sure I am considered to be functioning right now. But what happens when someone is no longer able to work?

Does anyone have the experience of what happens in the U.S. as far as filing for SSI, etc?

Thanks

If you're managing your depression (as in, still getting to work on time and doing the job properly) I would be surprised if they even considered firing you. It would just be about predjudice if they did, and I think people are much more open minded about depression these days. It does affect so many people, I'd be surprised if your boss hadn't experienced it or knew someone who did... and doubt they would find it a reason to fire you. Only if you couldn't do the job.

If you were so ill that you couldn't do the job though, it would be in theirs AND yours interest to take a break, I suppose. But you sound as though you're doing ok with work..?

Hope you're feeling ok! and not stressed/worried about having shown your supervisor. I think it's not ideal they've seen it, I think these things feel safer if they're more private (not people we know reading them) but there's no shame in it. It's GOOD if your blog reaches out to others.

x

Well, I did change my blog address.... so I feel safe. Did not want my supervisor knowing evey dark thought or obsession I suffer from.. or when I spiral down for 12-24 hours to worry that I would come into the office only to be forcably checked into a hospital. (then maybe fired) So yes, I changed the address.

For those that were asking a person can go on disability if the require due to depression, I don't know the details but know people who have done it (although don't post pictures of yourself in Mexico partying on youtube/facebook/myspace as an IBM - Toronto, was dropped from disablity insurance because of this.)

Love you guys for coming through and writing on this topic! (I am not so alone and scared now)

I know a lot about it, what do you need to know?

I was fired when another worker told my boss I was depressed....
I was able to sue him but didn't fight for my job back which I could have...
it's illegal to fire you just because you're ill...

Sorry, this may not have been the place to ask a question--

I worry that if I can't work, I would have no means of support until SSI was approved. And it probably depends a lot on the individual circumstances on how long it takes to be approved...

So I guess my question is what was your experience with the process? How did you go about it? It just seems so scary and unknown, and I want to know what to do if I get in trouble.

Byzantine - This is great, I will bring it back to Bipolar and Depression Support Alliance.
U R a life saver

lonescout - as i drift off into the darkness...

So you are still employed correct?
hope so
LoneScout

Thank you for caring, yes, I am functioning well. I recently decide to stop taking sleeping medications and alcohol which has improved my mood and made me safer. I also moved my blog to a new address
LoneScout,
mysecretdarkness1.wordpress.com (I added the 1).
Your a goddess for caring!
I will not forget your kindness.

Currently another employee is trying to get my fired since I have a higher pay, and he claims he know more and is more valuable, since there is only so much money in the budget he want $$. The supervisor who I shared my illness is actually sponsoring my through this and coaching me, hopefully I keep my job.

Good luck Lone scout, remember least said soonest mended, try not to worry overly about this, easier said than done I know, but your supervisor seems supportive which is good.

Also I wonder is the photo in your avatar a good idea as you are trying for anonymity, like you have done with your blog? You never know who stumbles upon PC.

Best wishes

Paddy

Hopefully nothing will come of it. Your boss cannot fire you just because you are depressed. You would have a lawsuit on your hands if that were the case.