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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on June 22, 2003, at 14:31:24
In reply to People not understanding Major Depression, posted by brian green on June 19, 2003, at 18:06:22
> An issue I am having is that after having been out of work on leave, and then returning this week for a short meeting with my boss and the HR guy, it became obvious to me that they don't know what Major Depression is, or what it does to someone. They shrugged it off as if it were more a case of the blues than an illness. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
> Thanks for your input!
> Brian
Posted by Saltmarsh Rose on June 22, 2003, at 17:24:59
In reply to People not understanding Depression « brian green , posted by Dr. Bob on June 22, 2003, at 14:31:24
i was wondering what they talked to you about in this meeting when you went back to work? (HR and your boss). Had you been hospitalized? Are they aware that you are treated for depression?
i'm going to have to go back soon from my leave as well. i was hospitalized (my first ever) and
the precipitating incident was my boss becoming aggressive (verbally) to me... i'm not really sure what to say to my boss. medical stuff is supposed to be confidential, and ___ has no factual details about the nature of my medical leave (although probably senses why because of the way things were left between us)There is so much now lately in the News because
of the NIH reports. Did you mention any of that to them? Are you employed by Corporate America?Rose
Posted by paxvox on June 24, 2003, at 16:47:22
In reply to People not understanding Depression « brian green , posted by Dr. Bob on June 22, 2003, at 14:31:24
I'm sorry to be so blunt, but believe me they KNOW all about depression and other so-called mental illnesses. They are trying to find out if you are "too wacky" to work for them, or if you are some risk to self or others. They, of course, DO have a right to be concerned about such things, but NOT if you have never given them any cause FOR concern. The "mental illness stigma" IS starting to lift a bit, but, unfortunately, not everyone sees it the same way. Now that there are TV and print media ads for antidepressant meds, ALL of America knows about "depression" and possible medical treatment options. The work issue is relevant because your employer is required by Federal law to provide a "safe working environment" for ALL its workers. YOU may be seen as a threat to them. PLEASE UNDERSTAND that I am being purely speculative about the YOU part of this equation. I have been on both sides of this fence, as a manager responsible for hiring/firing employees, as well as a sufferer of so-called "mental illness". I suspect your employer may just be playing CYA to ensure THEY are doing their part. It may be totally innocuous, just part of what they "have to do". however, I would be curious to know what questions that they asked you, and how you responded. Some stuff is clearly none of their business unless you have *presented* with a problem. There are a LOT of things that an employer can TRY to do to you, but there are as many laws to protect YOU and YOUR RIGHTS to privacy. In addition, if you DO have a condition that DOES affect your job,there *CAN* be things that they can try to do TO you. A lot of this would, obviously,depend upon the sort of work that you do. You are protected from discrimination by the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as ammended by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. Tell us a little more about the situation, if you feel comfortable doing so, and we (at least I) will try to help you figure out what is going on. Hope this helps, but feel free to ask more questions as they arise.
PAX
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