Is it unrealistic the way bosses and fellow co-workers demand that everyone do the same amount of work? We're all built differently. To boot, many times, the way our bosses measure our performance is not very accurate. And what if you suffer from mental or physical disorders? Are you expected to keep up to speed with the rest of the employees? Is it fair you be written up for poor performance?
And if you go on temporary disability (due to stress and anxiety), return with a doctor's certification that you suffer from ADHD, depression, anxiety and panic disorder—and your company decides to make accommodations for you (to demonstrate how compassionate they are)—you return to an embittered group of bosses that think "What a bunch of bullsh*t! He doesn't have these mental disorders! I don't even believe in ADHD!!!"—and assume you're lazy. And so you're stuck in a miserable bitter environment again (with stress, anxiety and panic attacks) and this time you go on long-term disability. Is there that many cases of fraud that warrant this type of retaliation and unwarranted hate? There must be a better way to conduct business.
Curious to hear your thoughts.
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StressBuster
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A diagnosis doesn't change the way you perform. It just sticks a label on the way you behave. You should surely be as capable of doing your job on your return as you were when you left?
Not sure I'm following you, Lucy34. Correct, tho, a diagnosis does not change the way you perform—however it does provide previously unknown information to your employer, regarding why you're performing at a below-standard level—I guess it's up to your employer whether to make accommodations or forfeit you.
My experience of work now is that individuality counts for nothing as we are all cogs in a machine and expected to be robots. It wasn't always that way but now it is. If you can't do the same amount of work as someone else why we will get rid of them and employ someone who can. It's not right, it's not fair and it's not good business.
Have your employers made some reasonable adjustments for you at all? A good example of this is more breaks, extra days leave and different duties if possible. The trouble is this is always subject to 'business needs' and the needs of the employer take precedence over the individual. This is exactly what happened to me in the civil service and it stinks. Employees are disposible and no one cares any more. Sorry I can't be more positive and I hope you can sort something out.
Bev, so sorry you went through this also... You make a good point about "the needs of the employer take precedence over the individual." I guess it makes sense, but to the end user, it's still awful. My employer (I should say—human resources department) made a so-called reasonable accommodation, but it was not paid much attention to by my bosses... Returning a second time to work they gave me even more stress! Nit-picking and complaining about everything. They turned into real bullies—it was awful. Left me with post traumatic stress disorder!! Before I was written up, a co-worker of mine, Michael, who was born with a dwarfism (struggled walking and had a back abnormality), told me in the hallway he was written up as well and worried about being terminated. These bosses were cold-hearted, I'll tell you. I'm so glad I'm out of that wretched place!
I forgot for a moment you are in the USA Richard and the laws must be slightly different there but I reckon the same sort of principles apply like health and safety law.
I used to work for the Department of Work and Pensions (the civil service) and we were only allowed 7 days a year sick on a rolling period otherwise you would get written warnings. If it was a one off illness ie breaking your leg or a serious one like cancer then they were great about it but for things like colds, flu etc. you had to go in sick or suffer the consequences. I had a couple of longish periods off with stress/depression and whilst they did make a few 'reasonable adjustments' they were not ones which really helped me with the job. It was target based and the targets were set so high that no one could reach them - it was meant to encourage you to work ever harder! All it did was cause stress and the turnover was very high as a lot were sacked.
I have copd (lung disease only mild though) and was on a final written warning with only a couple of months to go before it was written off and I got a severe chest infection (an occupational hazzard) and only had 2 days left of my sick leave. I only too 2 days off with it even though I was really ill. Fine - then it returned and pushed me over the limit. I knew as soon as it had happened they would be delighted and push to get rid of me which they did.
Even though I am out of work now (I am 61) I would much rather be very poor than work in that dreadful place. My depression which had been held at bay for quite a long time returned with a vengeance working there and I am still suffering from the after effects. I cannot bear any form of stress now and fall apart with it.
So I do understand exactly where you are coming from. Fortunately I do have a couple of private pensions I am taking now and get my State Pension in 4 years. I don't envy people having to work nowadays!
Hi, I cannot answer any better than Bev - in a nut shell employers pay the money and they want value for money - its all about the money!!!! So most people to maintain a job do not tell the company that they suffer with depression because that give's the employer the upper hand. Plus in large organisations it is very difficult to manage staff wellbeing and support - Women and people with disabilities// single parents male or female have had a problems for years around equal pay//
child care// caring for elderly parents and getting employers to take all this into consideration is a pain and a fight that continues to date - also when jobs are at risk because of cut backs nobody cares about anybody but themselves dog eat dog whatever your rank in the work place no job is safe. Poor sickness records are a factor in the process make no mistake. Why do you think stress in the work place is on the increase and everybody is suffering from work place related problems. My advice look forward to the pay cheque and carry on and dont think about work once you have finished for the day and take up yoga.
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