Good Boss/Bad Boss

I'm resurrecting this thread from my recent experience and perhaps to be an encouragement for others.

I work for a national Fortune 500 Company and have been on medical leave due to mental health reasons for 5 months. Having never been on disability before, I didn't know how to apply, which should have been to contact the disability department directly. The reason for my medical leave would have been kept confidential without my supervisor(s) knowing.

Since I had no idea of that and was paralyzed in deep depression/anxiety at the time, I called my supervisor's boss. She was the one who gave the information to me, so she, my direct supervisor and my co-supervisor all knew my diagnosis.

My supervisor assured me that the reason for my medical leave would be entirely confidential. Confidentiality is a BIG deal at my company. However, just having my supervisor know made me feel vulnerable.

Pdoc cleared me to return to work on Feb. 24 for 4 hours/day on light duty (which for my multi-tasking environment meant only one task at a time). I became increasingly anxious as the day approached and by the weekend prior I was having major panic/anxiety attacks and called in on my supervisor's voice mail (the anxiety made me too terrified to speak with him directly) and told him I had a relapse of symptoms, would contact my Dr. and keep him posted.

After a week of being on Ativan, I was amazingly calm this past Monday when I did return, however after being gone so long and leaving that message a week ago I wondered what the reaction would be.

I have always been a little frightened of my boss, as I am with many authority figures, which I now realize is part of my illness as well as my striving for perfection. I was pleasantly surprised that my boss has been exceptionally wonderful, gentle even.

It's kind of funny in a sad way (if that makes sense) that most everytime one of my supervisors sees me or passes by my desk they always say "How are you?" or "Are you ok?" Not having any knowledge of mental illness I wonder if they're thinking I might spontaneously combust or something.

Today was my annual review. Again, my supervisor could not have been nicer. After the review he said not to worry about having to get back into the flow of work too quickly; that we would take it easy and gradually work back to where I was. He said there was a training class for new hires that I was welcome to sit in on.

I was absolutely amazed...and gratified...and DEFINITELY have a new respect and admiration for my boss.

So, here is a "good boss" story to throw into the mix.

Thanks for sharing that.

(((((((( JustBen ))))))))

These typical blunders supervisors make can suck the narrow out of any workplace. It takes preparing and an active commitment to clear communication to make it work.

I have had some really good bosses. One was a friend who I still talk to. She was very concerned, but also kept things professional at work. She helped me get through several hospitalizations and be able to come back to work relatively seamlessly. She also helped me keep myself in check when taking on responsibility (I tend to over-extend myself out of wanting to help out in any way I can).
Another was a supervisor at an internship. She helped me figure out I wasn't in a place to finish my schooling at the time, and totally respected my decision to step out of the position even though it left her in a lurch for another worker on a moment's notice. I'm actually still in contact with her too, even though I no longer work in the field.
I have been lucky enough to have really cool bosses, even ones that had no idea I was struggling with mental health issues. I hope when I get back on my feet after all this crap, I can find another boss like that.

Alaztsa thats nice of your boss to be so understanding and your coworkers are supportive and care. I hope everything goes well in the future!