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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 19:46:53
I just lost my job yesterday because of my mood disorder and medication side effects. The day I turned in the new lease for my apartment too! WTF. Sorry for that, just really upset and worried right now. I didn't disclose my disorder and apparently they said they had people on "worse medication" (words they used). I did disclose one of them, but aparently that's not enough to give me another week to prove I can do the job (now off that particular medication).
I'm tired of losing jobs and not being able to hold down a job because of my disorder. Bipolar seems like a death sentence right now.
Thanks for letting me ramble.
Posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 19:48:08
In reply to No job... fired yesterday :(, posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 19:46:53
I was afraid to disclose anything I've heard so many horror stories. They made it sound like it would have made a difference, but I really doubt it.
Posted by Deneb on August 4, 2009, at 20:22:30
In reply to Re: No job... fired yesterday :(, posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 19:48:08
Sorry to hear you got fired Gibbons. ((((((((gibbons)))))))))
I hope things turn around for you soon. I have no advice, but I'm listening.
Posted by obsidian on August 4, 2009, at 21:03:06
In reply to No job... fired yesterday :(, posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 19:46:53
geeez! that does NOT seem fair...shouldn't there be a law against discrimination on the basis of illness/disability?
WTF indeed...
I'm sorry,
sid :-(
Posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 21:38:25
In reply to Re: No job... fired yesterday :( » gibbons482, posted by Deneb on August 4, 2009, at 20:22:30
Thanks. I just don't know how I'm going to pay for my ridiculously expensive apartment. :( Breaking a lease is so expensive.
Posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 21:39:50
In reply to Re: No job... fired yesterday :( » gibbons482, posted by obsidian on August 4, 2009, at 21:03:06
There is a law, I think. But I don't think it applies if you didn't disclose it before you got fired. I disclosed one of medicines because they specifically asked, I didn't mention the antipsychotic for obvious reasons. Since I didn't disclose that I was bipolar, I don't think I have any recourse as far as getting fired goes.
:(
Posted by Sigismund on August 5, 2009, at 0:38:03
In reply to Re: No job... fired yesterday :( » obsidian, posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 21:39:50
How did they find out about the antipsychotic?
Posted by Dinah on August 5, 2009, at 10:50:58
In reply to No job... fired yesterday :(, posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 19:46:53
I'm sorry. :(
Did you work for a large company? Don't large companies often have personnel department employees who can give general advice on the practicalities?
I suppose in today's economy, it would be difficult to sublease your apartment?
Posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 11:13:00
In reply to Re: No job... fired yesterday :( » gibbons482, posted by Dinah on August 5, 2009, at 10:50:58
Isn't it discrimination to fire one for a disease and mental disorders are diseases. How did they find out about an antipsychotic? Do drug tests now test for them too? Phillipa
Posted by TexasChic on August 5, 2009, at 21:09:21
In reply to Re: No job... fired yesterday :(, posted by Phillipa on August 5, 2009, at 11:13:00
Ugh! I so, SO understand! Having been there, here's my suggestions (I am assuming you are in the US, if you aren't, I don't know how many of my suggestions will apply):
1. Apply for unemployment: there is a fine line between just not working out and not doing the job. I've gotten unemployment when I REALLY didn't think I qualified for it. Its worth a shot. Plus, you can draw more money working part time and drawing unemployment, which a lot of people don't know. On the other hand, I have been turned down for UE because an employer lied about me. It happenes, all you can do is move on.
2. Apply for any job you can. Go to the fast food places, bookstores, or whatever. Especially apply for management if possible, because they pay more. Take two part time jobs if you have to. It may suck big time, but it may be what gets you through. I worked the most horrid job ever for a few weeks, but it helped pay the rent, so it was worth it.
3. Check out monster.com, careerbuilder.com, and craigslist.com. There are a million others, you can find them if you look on the web. Also, check out employers in your area and look for their web pages. Your local UE office will have job listings as well.
4. Look for employment and temp agencies in your area and register with them.
5. The most important thing is to keep trying. You have to keep putting yourself out there is you want the best chance of getting a job.
I hope this helps a little. If nothing else, I'm right there with you. Hang in there!
-T
Posted by obsidian on August 5, 2009, at 23:03:24
In reply to Re: No job... fired yesterday :( » obsidian, posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 21:39:50
geez that sucks,
I know how much I don't want to say to prospective employers about my issues. I mean who wants to explain why they take an antipsychotic? especially to people ignorant to psychiatric issues and treatment- which, let's face it, most people are! and also especially when you want to portray yourself as all put together and fully capable.
The only reason I do end up disclosing is because of the damn drug tests. I wouldn't bother mentioning all the crap I take if it wasn't for concerns about what might pop up on that damn test. Honestly, I feel like it's my own business.I not so long ago had to disclose some stuff to people at my job, it was awful...I got treated like some type of dangerous character and implicitly treated like someone incapable of doing the job. Make no mistake, it is indeed exceedingly difficult for me, but such is my lot in life and it isn't something I would have chosen to deal with. It is yet another challenge in a long series of challenges.
Oh, and if you aren't doing well mentally, just try and explain that to your employer...a nice little sick note from your psychiatrist, oh yeah, that sounds like fun.
I can understand just wanting to avoid the whole disclosure thing. At one job I had to get a letter from my freaking pdoc that said I was healthy enough to work. can you imagine?? I was only on an antidepressant then I think. I can only imagine what it would have been like if I was on my current med cocktail then.
I apologize if I am ranting a bit. I just wish it weren't so. It is a challenge to be sure. I hope you will keep trying and also I wish you some comfort while you're going through this.
be well,
sid
Posted by Angela2 on August 6, 2009, at 7:57:12
In reply to No job... fired yesterday :(, posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 19:46:53
I've been there too. I lost my last job. It's not fair to lose your job just because you are dealing with mental health issues.(((((gibbons482)))))
Posted by Kath on August 6, 2009, at 10:13:42
In reply to No job... fired yesterday :(, posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 19:46:53
So very sorry. What an awful thing to happen.
Kath
Posted by gibbons482 on August 8, 2009, at 20:45:42
In reply to No job... fired yesterday :(, posted by gibbons482 on August 4, 2009, at 19:46:53
Thanks. In good fortune, I have a job interview tomorrow. It's not for anything I particularly care to do, but it's a job and I can always keep looking provided I get hired in the first place.
I do need some advice though. The job is a lot of shift work, never knowing when you're working whether it's 5am or til 11pm, and I have bipolar disorder that without a regular sleep schedule gets infintely worse. Should I even bother if I get this job knowing it could potentially set off another episode with the crazy hours?
Posted by Phillipa on August 9, 2009, at 20:36:33
In reply to Thanks! Interview tommorrow! :), posted by gibbons482 on August 8, 2009, at 20:45:42
Well congrats but that's a touch decision. Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on August 10, 2009, at 11:43:42
In reply to Thanks! Interview tommorrow! :), posted by gibbons482 on August 8, 2009, at 20:45:42
Congratulations on the interview, and I hope it goes well.
If you know that you get much worse with a disrupted sleep pattern, it would seem to me to be a priority to make sure your job doesn't make you worse. After all, it will be harder to stay productive in this job, and harder for you to find a new one, if you aren't doing so well because of an irregular sleep pattern.
This is the end of the thread.
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