Posted by Snowie on October 16, 2000, at 17:37:40
In reply to Re: Have you told employers about your illness?, posted by coral on October 16, 2000, at 16:19:43
Coral, I couldn't have said it better myself. To tell or not to tell is a personal decision, and only you can decide which is right for you in your present situation. In my situation, my disorder does not affect my job, so I see no reason to make my business my employer's business. On the other hand, my sister had to tell her employer due to the nature of her illness (bipolar). Her employer has accommodated her illness and her need for frequent absences related to her disorder. However, when my sister is on the job she is quite able to perform the essential functions of her job.
Snowie
> The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides protection for people with disabilities, including mental disorders. The ADA also requires an employer to make "reasonable accommodation" to assist the employee. To qualify for ADA protection, an employee is obligated to notify the employer of his/her condition. However, this is not a blanket recommendation that everyone immediately disclose their mental disorders to their employers. Much of it depends on the culture of your workplace and the sophistication and compassion of your employer, as well as the degree your disorder is impacting job performance. Unfortunately, employers can find ways to terminate an employee, avoiding the ADA issue altogether. Job stress certainly impacts recovery, as does the unfortunate stigma that still exists.
poster:Snowie
thread:1121
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001011/msgs/1143.html