Employers do not want to understand mental health issues.

Hello

For 17 years I was employed in a business and in the last 5 years was a partner. Unfortunately I suffered clinical depression caused by a chemical imbalance of the brain. Mybehaviour became irrational and caused some issues.*

My senior business partner was sympathetic initially and kept telling people that I am unwell. I went on a sabbatical - a rest and recovery period. I experienced hallucinations but was fearful of telling anyone because I feared that I might have schizophrenia. Its a long story but eventually the illness caused me to leave the business.*

When I left and started working for a competitor business the attitude of my former senior partner became different - the firm told people that I had been unwell and there had been interpersonal issues and it was my personality to blame. This is despite my character for the preceding 46 years being of high values and good morals.

My psychiatrist and psychologist have now both said that my psychosis was caused by the clinical depression but also that my problematic behaviour was a result of my hallucinations and delusions and not because of a hidden premorbid personality trait.

My solicitor has written to my former senior business partner and has said that he has been correct in saying that I have been unwell but that there is new information about my illness which confirms that my uncharacteristic behaviour was caused by the illness.

My former senior partner has written to the solicitor saying that none of the partners or staff want to hear anything from or about me.

How would you react to that ?*

He has been told that he was right about me being unwell, but do you think he does not want to receive expert opinions that it was the illness and not my personality which caused my uncharacteristic behaviour in the past few years ?*

Or is there another possible reason I have not considered ?

I would like to thank anyone in hopeful anticipation of a reply.*

Well, they obviously are annoyed that you quit for a competitor - they would not be that nasty if they did not think you were good enough to bring significant advantages to your new employer. If they really thought there had been interpersonal issues and your personality was to blame they would perhaps be rather happy you were with a competitor.

Such small mindedness is a sign that your former colleagues were not as deserving of your respect as you thought. That is a sad thought but let it go, and concentrate on your new job and new colleagues.

In the long run it is unwise to speak ill of people. You are no doubt making a good impression in your new firm and people will not find the bad-mouthing of you convincing and will have their suspicions of someone who runs you down.

They will get over it, no one is dead or injured, it will all blow over.

Sounds like your old employer is mad about you going to competitor. I would just work my butt off and put them out of business. Ignorant people do not need to have a good business.

Like others have said, your old partner is likely mad that you left for your competitor. Also, by saying you being unwell was due to personality it could be for legal reasons, I don't know if someone you worked with is allowed to say that you have a mental illness.