Anxiety + Panic at work

[robin0507]

Does anyone here have experience with job accomodations in the US?

[Dolphin14]

robin0507

I'm not sure what you mean? Are you talking about adjustments being made for a disability?

🐬

[PhoebeOphelia]

There are pretty clear rules about accommodations in the workplace. The only limit is that they can't be excessively burdensome to the employer (there is specific legal language that any HR office can provide). The idea is that the accommodations support you in doing the job, but you still have to do the job. The most common tend to be flexibility with work schedules or adjustments to office furniture (although most employers understand the need for ergonomically-appropriate chairs, desks, etc. without needing to call it an accommodation). In general, it is good to know what kind of accommodation you want/need beforehand and be able to argue that you can still do all of the original requirements of the job, with this accommodation.

[AutumnLeaves1111]

Honestly, I would speak to HR directly and have them direct you in how to best approach. I have went the direct manager route and in the end she ended up using that against me when she thought I didn’t meet her expectations anymore. Best wishes.. <3

[punkster]

If the accommodation is because you have a mental disorder, you need to present HR with a letter from a doctor or a therapist explaining why you need the accommodation. If the accommodation is needed because of a physical disorder, you need to have a doctor or a specialist write the letter. It is ultimately up to the company to approve the accommodation or to offer you another position.

[robin0507]

thank you all. Appreciate all of your thoughts and advice. I am getting ready to come out of disability leave and return to work gradually.

My first step was to speak to HR to request the accommodation form and my Psychiatrist will be completing it next week after our meeting. While I was on the phone to HR I specified I decided not to speak with my manager but instead to the manager above or to HR. The HR rep also recommended to report a conflict with them so they can escalate it. I am considering doing that even though I did not have a particular problem except a combination of smaller problems that caused too much pressure on my mind and body

Right now it looks like regardless of any conflicts I will have to return to same area of work. I had already specified all my needs earlier this year and nothing changed and that’s how I know I need to move from that area. I felt uncomfortable since day one and they put me in a leadership position that I didn’t accept. That’s when my anxiety and panic triggered due to the extra interactions with others and different challenges. The spaces in the office are very small, cubicles are laid out in an old fashioned way so you are literally surrounded by 8 people around your cubicle. The lack of privacy and the extra noise does not help my mental health and that is another thing I am requesting on the accommodations form ( wfh flexibility) in addition to frequent breaks as the bank only allows two 15 minutes break a day and the 30 min lunch break.

I want to do the work. I am great with process improvements and reporting/analytics yet I have difficulties with people. My panic blocks me from interacting with others and even asking questions and we all know that we can’t do the work alone. I have been in the banking industry for 1.5 yrs and I know it is not for everyone but I appreciate the benefits in the long run. Truth is if I find a more suitable workplace and role for me I will leave without thinking it twice but this is all I have at the moment.