work woes

So I was absent from work for a few weeks last year (July 2010) due to being in the hospital and going to therapy three days a week. Well I never really got better from that episode. When I returned to work everyone was MEAN to me. Because I wasn't telling them why I was off they spread rumors that there was nothing wrong with me, they all turned their noses up at me when I went back. It was a hard transition. I broke down again last month and ended up in the hospital, now I'm having ECT as an outpatient. I am scheduled to go back to work November 1st. Not only am I worried about how they would treat me but my postion was eliminated shortly before I went out sick. They changed my title took away 20% of my pay and the best part is Im doing the SAME JOB! I'm still paid pretty well, but I'm bitter and it's hard to find another job making what I make now. Anyone have any advice?

Hello,
Yes, TELL THEM why you were off work. There is NO shame in being unwell. (Mentally or Physically) And then tell them WHY you are off a second time.
TRUTHFULLY. Maybe then they may grow a brain and find a bit of compassion for someone who IS unwell.

I'd also be careful telling them why. It's up to you. You can say you were hospitalized with a chronic illness, or hospitalized but don't want to talk about it. But give them something so they don't attack you. Also I'd look into laws and such... see why your position was removed. Its seems wrong that they can do that, if it is based on you being mentally (or otherwise) ill... I don't know much about laws though. Watch your back, but there might be something you can do

I would watch the "they" thinking, as in "they spread rumors". Doesn't help to think that way; deal with each person you work with, one at a time? I would tell close friends or coworkers but not others; eventually that you have had an illness will get disseminated and you can't control what others think/do not think about that.

If you enjoy your job, no reason you cannot still enjoy it. If you are working for the money/need and don't think you can or don't want to look for a different job, there's nothing wrong with that! Find or create other things in your life to interest you and give you a feeling of accomplishment! Remember, you work about 8 hours a day and sleep about 8 hours a day and there's still that 8 hours left that is "yours" to structure as you will. If you have a dream, to become a writer or change jobs or go back to school, etc. work on that in your other 8 hours.

I worked to pay for my own therapy, it was my primary interest in my life for the last 8-10 years I worked. I did a great job at my job and enjoyed what I learned there but Me and therapy were more my priority.

OK so im working on getting my short term disability extended. I can be off for as long as 12/4/2011. I do not have long term disability. I looked into collecting Social Securty, but it's not much. I would have to talk to my husband about that. I'm still having ECT. Its making the depression better but I have crazy anxiety! I'm thinking I should just look into getting another job....

It sounds to me like you're trying to do a lot at once? I would get the short term disability extended if you can and get through the ECT and then decide what you want to do. I think if you worked this year and made $1,000 a month (disability from a job says you have a job are technically working?), you probably don't qualify this year for Social Security; I'd extend disability as long as I could (and December sounds good) and then apply in January next year or maybe look for another job for a month or two and then apply. Ask your T and doctor what they think?

thanks Perna. My short term disability is up in the air still. It will be decided on Monday. The hospital and my pdoc were in a disagreement over who should be handling my short term disability case. While they sent me back and forth to one another it was also decided I would stop ECT for now. I developed severe anxie ty. I have had ten treatments and the depression has lifted some. Those treatments were taking a huge toll on me. If/ when i stop having all this anxiety, we may or may not continue ECT. I talked to my boss today, he tells me to take all the time I need to get better this time. I did talk to my T about this. We decided it might be a good idea for me to ask for a transfer if I go back. I'm contemplating that....

Actually, you can list your first day of your leave as your date of disability, regardless of whether or not you are receiving employer disability benefits. Whether or not SS will pay you for the time you were receiving benefits is another story. There's a six month waiting period before they will pay any benefits and there is usually an offset for private disability payments. But whether or not you were employed is irrelevant. The important part is whether or not you were working and earning above the $1000 a month limit. Disability payments do not count towards that $1000. And they look at it on a montly basis, not yearly. You could make $100,000 a month from Jan to Nov, but if you are unable to work in December, it can be claimed as a disability month.

I've been back on SS disability for over a year now, but I am technically still employed by the US government. I am on leave without pay and waiting for my Federal employee disability claim to be processed. But I am still legally employed.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you feel better soon.