The bigotry and prejudice against people with mental disorders in the workplace.

H

HyperBudgie

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Now, before I get started, I need to explain the relevance of specifically using the term “Bigotry”. The reason I wish to use the term “bigot” is because it is both an apt description of those who discriminate against people with mental disorders and there will also be a reader who was recently called a bigot and reeled at the thought that he could possibly have been referred to as a a bigot. Yet he was one of the people who was prejudice against me and my wife, we both have Bipolar Disorder.

I recently had a bipolar relapse and was going through a living hell. I tried to handle it myself, I tried to use sheer willpower and I tried to hide it from those at work because I know all too well just how they frown upon bipolar. They think we make it up and just want to take days off work, which is funny because I'm at work when I have flu, when I have the runs, I was at work a week sooner than I was supposed to be after I had serious surgery. So why on earth would I fake illness to take time off from a job that I love doing?

I got really sick this time though and had to see the psychiatrist, after one look at me he forbid me going back to work and booked me off for a few days so that I can stabilize and adjust to the new meds and also go for the necessary blood tests. This is not going to happen.

After a call from an angry boss I was basically informed that I was to suck it up and its just a mental thing so I better get back to work. I wonder if I had had a TB attack and was booked off for 3 days to get a disease under control if my employer would have responded the same?

I am now forced into a work situation where I have been clinically proven to be unfit to be in. But I have to go because my colleague has such prejudice and almost a hatred for bipolar disorder and wont cover for me and my boss doesn't believe in medication and has the very strong opinion that my disorder can be controlled by will alone and “ sucking it up” is all that's needed. I know someone who is on permanent disability, his is physical so he wouldn't be instructed to suck it up.

The joke is that I am trying to get back to work as fast as possible because of how loyal and dedicated I am. Why can employers , who are educated people, not understand that bipolar disorder is an actual chronic illness. I have asked for 3 days to treat my illness. 3 days in the last 2 years is all I need, but between my so called “team-mate” and my boss, this is a ridiculous and job threatening request.

The short of it:

Its OK to take a day or 2 for the flu or a stomach bug but its detrimental to your career to take a day or 2 in order to treat a chronic mental illness.
So the unhealthy smokers with upset stomachs are fine to take all the time they need but the mentally ill are just full of s**t.
My wife was off for 6 months on paid disability for bipolar and these people make her out to be a slacker and accuse her of taking her employer for a ride. If she had MS, nobody would have said a word. i.e. As a group, Bipolar sufferers are being prejudiced in the workplace every day by bigots.

“Bigotry is the state of mind of a "bigot", a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices, especially one who exhibits intolerance or animosity toward members of a group”
 
Yes. The funniest is when these "normal" folk have flu or a bug and are so fricken incapacitated that they can't function. We freaks get told we are young and have no reason to be tired or feel down. Drink 10 tablets a day like I do and tell me how you would cope you ragdoll.

Stuff your employer and stuff the colleague. Stay at home and get better. F the rest man.
 
Sorry to hear bud


Sounds like a dick of a boss
 
Your boss is in breach of some pretty serious Labour legislation if he is discriminating against you in terms of illness and/or disability.

See here:
1. Aims

1.1. The Employment Equity Act, No. 55 of 1998 protects people with disabilities against unfair discrimination and entitles them to affirmative action measures.

1.2. The Code is a guide for employers and employees on key aspects of promoting equal opportunities and fair treatment for people with disabilities as required by the Employment Equity Act (the Act).

1.3. The Code is intended to help employers and employees understand their rights and obligations, promote certainty and reduce disputes to ensure that people with disabilities can enjoy and exercise their rights at work.
x
x
x
5. Definition of People with Disabilities

5.1 Defining persons with disabilities under the Act

The scope of protection for people with disabilities in employment focuses on the effect of a disability on the person in relation to the working environment, and not on the diagnosis of the impairment.

Only people who satisfy all the criteria in the definition:

(i) long-term or recurring;
(ii) having a physical or mental impairment;
(iii) which substantially limits,

are considered as persons with disabilities.


5.1.1 Long-term or recurring

(i) Long-term means the impairment has lasted or is likely to persist for at least twelve months. A short-term or temporary illness or injury is not an impairment which gives rise to a disability.

(ii) A recurring impairment is one that is likely to happen again and to be substantially limiting (see below). It includes a constant underlying condition, even if its effects on a person fluctuate.

(iii) Progressive conditions are those that are likely to develop or change or recur. People living with progressive conditions or illnesses are considered as people with disabilities once the impairment starts to be substantially limiting. Progressive or recurring conditions which have no overt symptoms or which do not substantially limit a person are not disabilities.

5.1.2 Impairment

(i) An impairment may be physical or mental.

(ii) 'Physical' impairment means a partial or total loss of a bodily function or part of the body. It includes sensory impairments such as being deaf, hearing impaired, or visually impaired and any combination of physical or mental impairments.

(iii) 'Mental' impairment means a clinically recognised condition or illness that affects a person's thought processes, judgment or emotions.

5.1.3 Substantially limiting

(i) An impairment is substantially limiting if, in the absence of reasonable accommodation by the employer, a person would be either totally unable to do a job or would be significantly limited in doing the job.

(ii) Some impairments are so easily controlled, corrected or lessened, that they have no limiting effects. For example, a person who wears spectacles or contact lenses does not have a disability unless even with spectacles or contact lenses the person's vision is substantially impaired.

(iii) An assessment whether the effects of impairment are substantially limiting must consider if medical treatment or other devices would control or correct the impairment so that its adverse effects are prevented or removed.

(iv) For reasons of public policy certain conditions or impairments may not be considered disabilities. These include but are not limited to:

- sexual behavior disorders that are against public policy;
- self-imposed body adornments such as tattoos and body piercing;
- compulsive gambling, tendency to steal or light fires;
- disorders that affect a person's mental or physical state if they are caused by current use of illegal drugs or alcohol, unless the affected person is participating in a recognised programme of treatment;
- normal deviations in height, weight and strength; and
- conventional physical and mental characteristics and common personality traits.
 
me and my wife, we both have Bipolar Disorder.
Click to expand...

OT: Not sure how to ask this without sounding like I'm kidding around but did you meet at some bipolar gathering etc or was it entirely coincidental?
 
there are 2 types of ignorances that actually boils my blood
- ignorance about gay people
- ignorance about people who are non-religious
- ignorance about people with a mental disorder, especially depression related ones

Sometimes these people are quite clever and good at their jobs, but when it comes to certain issues that just blank out and bigotry takes over.
 
Nicodeamus said:
there are 2 types of ignorances that actually boils my blood
- ignorance about gay people
- ignorance about people who are non-religious
- ignorance about people with a mental disorder, especially depression related ones

Sometimes these people are quite clever and good at their jobs, but when it comes to certain issues that just blank out and bigotry takes over.
Click to expand...

Ignorance about people who can't count....
 
People really need to be educated about mental illness. At one time I too thought that mental illness could be managed by willpower alone, but watching someone battle to get through the day soon set me straight. I really do hope that you feel better soon :)
 
The problem is that the moment you display any signs of mental illness your chances of promotion/advancement is over. You therefore have to suffer in silence and when you need time off from work you are either forced to take normal leave or tell your employer you have flu (or any other "acceptable" condition that won't look bad on your record). This is reality and no matter what laws state you can't win this one as the discrimination will always be cloaked with some other reason for being overlooked for promotion. The frustration and fear then makes the condition worse and worse.
 
abzo said:
OT: Not sure how to ask this without sounding like I'm kidding around but did you meet at some bipolar gathering etc or was it entirely coincidental?
Click to expand...

We met through a mutual friend who is also bipolar. It works well, we get each other and know how to spot each other and support each other. She was at a hospital undergoing treatment at the same time as my friend was at the same clinic. He thought we would get along and introduced us. We have been married 4 years and have a beautiful baby daughter aged 3. I can't imagine being with a "normal" person. Most people don't get what bipolar people go through (hence the prejudice at the work place) and it would take someone special to live with a bipolar person.
 
BeVonk! said:
The problem is that the moment you display any signs of mental illness your chances of promotion/advancement is over. You therefore have to suffer in silence and when you need time off from work you are either forced to take normal leave or tell your employer you have flu (or any other "acceptable" condition that won't look bad on your record). This is reality and no matter what laws state you can't win this one as the discrimination will always be cloaked with some other reason for being overlooked for promotion. The frustration and fear then makes the condition worse and worse.
Click to expand...

Exactly! A few years ago I went through a major episode and "rage quitted" my job of 5 years that I was actually good at. I mean I got salesman of the year and earned a spot to go skiing in the Alps 4 times in 5 years. I was a good employee but due to my illness and an irrational decision I quit my job. The next day I was at a clinic and in treatment. My mother and doctor both spoke to my boss asking him to take me back as I only quit due to a total mental breakdown and irrational decision caused by my illness. Even though I was better an stable my ex boss refused to take me back stating that the company could not risk me having another "episode" that might lead me to poorly represent them.But even though I was a "danger" to the company as an employee and they refused to rescind my resignation and re-employ me they still upheld their restraint of trade clause and I was unable to get work even though 3 companies all wanted me based on my CV and my accomplishments.
 
HyperBudgie said:
Thanks for the support guys. I don't think my boss is a dick I just think they don't get it. At all.
Click to expand...
Yeah they don't sorry. Mental disorders aren't tangible and thus not 'real' to those who haven't experienced them. Sorry.
Nothing other to say than... deal with it :p :D
 
HyperBudgie said:
Exactly! A few years ago I went through a major episode and "rage quitted" my job of 5 years that I was actually good at. I mean I got salesman of the year and earned a spot to go skiing in the Alps 4 times in 5 years. I was a good employee but due to my illness and an irrational decision I quit my job. The next day I was at a clinic and in treatment. My mother and doctor both spoke to my boss asking him to take me back as I only quit due to a total mental breakdown and irrational decision caused by my illness. Even though I was better an stable my ex boss refused to take me back stating that the company could not risk me having another "episode" that might lead me to poorly represent them.But even though I was a "danger" to the company as an employee and they refused to rescind my resignation and re-employ me they still upheld their restraint of trade clause and I was unable to get work even though 3 companies all wanted me based on my CV and my accomplishments.
Click to expand...

Now this is where things could get intereting... if you're just a "salesman" then they cannot stop you getting a sales job at another company. They may not stop you earning a living using normal skills, they may only stop you getting a job that will employ skills that are very specific to the employer you were at.
 
ToxicBunny said:
Now this is where things could get intereting... if you're just a "salesman" then they cannot stop you getting a sales job at another company. They may not stop you earning a living using normal skills, they may only stop you getting a job that will employ skills that are very specific to the employer you were at.
Click to expand...

Well their big shot lawers got my new employer to sack me after just 2 weeks!
 
An Amazing Turn Of Events!!!!

I came to work today only to find that my colleagues had basically prepped the office for me. All the calls were re-routed and I was shielded from customers. They were all very understanding and allowed me to ease into my work. My boss was amazing and also quite concerned about my well being. It seems that I owe an apology to all whom I called Bigots as this was not the case. They merely meant that the current project was so important and that I was so integral to the project that they needed me there in whatever shape I could be there-in.

I only hope that I can be forgiven for my manic madness and ranting when beginning this post.:o:o
 
HyperBudgie said:
I came to work today only to find that my colleagues had basically prepped the office for me. All the calls were re-routed and I was shielded from customers. They were all very understanding and allowed me to ease into my work. My boss was amazing and also quite concerned about my well being. It seems that I owe an apology to all whom I called Bigots as this was not the case. They merely meant that the current project was so important and that I was so integral to the project that they needed me there in whatever shape I could be there-in.

I only hope that I can be forgiven for my manic madness and ranting when beginning this post.:o:o
Click to expand...

That's great news. This whole thread reminded me of the very sad case of Kate Fitzgerald, in Ireland, last year.
http://3menmakeatiger.blogspot.com/2011/12/famous-last-words-media-transparency.html
 
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