[darleenjshannon]

Hello, all.

I am 31 years old and I have been working as a graphic designer with one company for 6 years. I recently had my annual employee review and was put on a 45 day probation for, among other things, not displaying "normal social interaction" (ie I "don't say hello enough").

I am not rude nor impolite, I'm just not much of a morning person so my mood isn't very high at the start of the day. Frankly, I see nothing wrong in my behavior. I'm not sure who is in the wrong, me or my bosses.

I need some advice on how to handle this. I feel like my employer is holding me accountable to an un-measurable, unfair, and arbitrary standard. I suffer from bipolar disorder and I am not sure how much that has to do with the lack of "normal social interaction". I'd rather not disclose my mental illness but I am not sure how to communicate they are holding me to something I cannot attain any more than I already have.

Should I bring this up with my psychiatrist? Should I contact the Labor Board?

[Fresia]

This can be frustrating but is a common side effect with some of the medications that we take. I would contact your pdoc, firstly, let them know what is going and to talk to them about how things are going with affect in the morning and possibly dosing schedule so more awake in the morning. The other thing you might consider is a counselor or T to help you develop these skills; everyone, no matter the circumstances, can be benefited from developing their interactive skills. Your pdoc should be able to recommend someone.

There are legal intricacies with disclosing a mental disability that should be considered as there can be ramifications, advantages and disadvantages, in the workplace.

Responding To Mental Illness in Your Workforce: Following the Law | Psych Central

http://labs.umassmed.edu/transitions.../Tipsheet7.pdf

http://cpr.bu.edu/resources/reasonab...to-an-employer

[darleenjshannon]

Cool, thanks for the info I will check it out. I made an appointment with a T so I will bring it up with her and see what she has to say about it.

[henrydavidtherobot]

I'm really sorry that that happened to you. I have Cyclothymia and have gotten reprimanded at my job and my TA position for similar things. I don't know where you should go from here, but I figured that I'd let you know that you're not alone.