Depression in the Workplace.

[Datura]

So I'm guessing she hasn't just heard about this and there has been negative performance reviews etc. Also, if she was doing that badly, why did she move?

I am not sure about reviews as such. All I know is that she split up with her husband about a year ago which was noticeably disruptive. I don't know of any warnings as such...

 

[Datura]

A really decent article about depression that I just stumbled accross on news24. Seems particularly relevant and well informed and is targetted specifically at women in the workplace: http://www.health24.com/Medical/Dep...barrier-to-climbing-corporate-ladder-20140529

Cheers, looking at it now.

 

[bokdrol]

I have suffered from work-related depression since 2003. It sucks, it really does. It is also such a misunderstood disease, very few people understand it. Huge stigma. The stresses the human body has to face nowadays has increased a thousandfold and we still have the same bodies as we did a century ago. I blame technology: everything has to happen yesterday and everything has to be done at once.

 

[Packer]

In the defense of the "small company" its really tough out there right now for companies to even make a profit and stay in business. Carrying dead weight employees that are not performing could cost the entire company their jobs, not just her. By her own admission its her personal life that is the root cause of the depression and also by her admission the job is what is suffering. While I feel for her and recognise how cripling depression can be is her welbeing more important than that of an entire company? What if her salary is the difference between the company limping on vs closing down? Is it fair on her work collegues? I know this sounds harsh but one has to think about other people's issues as well. If the job was a major factor in having caused the depression (ie via abusive managers, unrealistic work pressure, etc) then sure, take them to the cleaners. This sounds a lot more like someone who's personal life is falling apart and its the company that has to pay alongside the employee. I'm not sure I agree with it. It does not feel right that the company just has to swallow the fact that they have to pay someone for doing a lot less.

Just my 2c. Also I would never admit depression to a boss. I know some people that had some really bad things happen that caused depression and by keeping it quiet and managing to fix the circumstances they got over the depression without the company ever realizing. Once a company knows you have ever had depression word gets around and it becomes impossible to ever promote the person as you are terrified the additional stress of the promotion will send them back there. Also if you do have depression sometimes it results in managers overanalysing your performance or treating you differently to other employees that can add its own stress. Seriously, I would think twice.

Excellent points! A thoughtful analysis. There are 2 sides to every story.

 

[noxibox]

Under no circumstances should she resign. There is a proper process that has to be followed in South Africa, which was put in place because of abuse of employees by employers. This unfortunately can make life more hassle than it needs to be for good employers. Ultimately though you can lose your job if you're unable to perform your duties, but the employer has to prove that is the case.

 

[Corvus]

A thread revival I know.
If there are more to date threads link them in so I can respond there please.

The thin line on disability in the workplace has been specified into two categories. Physical and Psychiatric.
Our best bet is to have Life Cover to assist us with income continuation benefits if ever it is needed. Yes. Not going to happen now with it being a pre existing exclusion.

However where it comes to what is considered as a disability the normal items such as blindness, loss of limb. Those areas are easily covered since it is seen by the eye.
Psychiatric lists start with bipolar and mood disorders.
Depression falls in a blanket category because for example...
A loved one passed away and you get depressed. Divorce. Falling pregnant from a one night stand and not having the guys number to tell him hey I'm pregnant.
With the right help and time you overcome this grief and suffering in life.
Yes not always as people will reply here.
But it's the explanation of why depression isn't considered as a disability.
However clinical depression is a disorder that may be considered. It's a possibility.

As for business....
Sufferers get protection and this is where disclosure is necessary.
The company is required to help that person in a few ways. Give large tasks into smaller bite size tasks. Ensure their seating area has natural light and is geared up to keeping the state of mind clear. Showing compassion in allowing a few more breaks for the person to cope better or time to go see their doctors.

In return the sufferer needs to not take advantage of this assistance and be a douchebag leech.

The long and short of it is that yes there is business. Money needs to be made. Business needs to be sustained. BUT there are many tools available to bring out the best in a person diagnosed with an illness.

To the "normal people" out there....
These illnesses do not get dictated by your choice. You get out of bed and think. Hmm. Hey, today I'm going to be in a hypo mania state or depressed. Or have an anxiety issue the entire day.
For that person getting to work each and every day is an accomplishment. Something that is beyond exhausting many times. Then the day is still to be dealt with.
The menial task such as driving to work is compounded ten fold.
Taking a 20 minute break for a smoke where 15 minutes should be done is a huge issue because oh look... they are depressed and not managing time. Now they are messing business around.

What about that other side of the coin. Where the depression isn't taking hold. It isn't eating away at your very survival and breathing.
What takes hours to complete happens in minutes. They shine. Go above and beyond duty. Give their everything.
Not because they feel guilty. It's because they have the energy to do it at the time. In those hypo mania days (referring to bipolar here as a point of reference) guilt is not even a concern. Nothing matters because you can simply do anything and everything. Everyone is happy... and then.
Crash.

That's where everyone loses faith in the person. What happened?
Absolutely nothing. They just switched.
The mind changed. But then everything sucks.
And then friends, family and business gets upset/concerned. Snap out of it. What happened. Where did this come from. Etc.

Well the truth is that many don't want to be in those dark places. They don't want to be that burden to anyone. But they also need to survive. Get an income. If they don't disclose then they are considered as just that rotten apple that takes off ill all the time.
Yet when they disclose their illness... judgement and discrimination. What a sad state of affairs.

So what exactly is needed to be done before disclosure. It is necessary. When it comes to psychiatric conditions support is key.
Question is...
What is your story?
What have you done prior to your disclosure.
What have you done to fix yourself?
Are you seeing medical professionals? Not just going to a GP or a herbalist or following advice from your Aunt that swears by cannabis oil. (Yes everything has its merit)
Are you taking medication to help your illness?
Are you being proactive in managing your lifestyle?
If so. Then business should not have any problems in helping you along your journey. In fact they will welcome it more so.

The twist.
If things simply do not work out. Don't resign. You get nothing. Let your benefits kick in. Do you have a Group Risk Life Policy? It's there for instances such as this.
The key to all of this.... play your part in seeing the right people and getting professional help before it gets to this stage of the game.

And one last thing before I end this of.
The responsibilities fall on everyone involved employer and employee alike.
Remember that several years ago everyone was up in arms about how people treated those with HIV/AIDS differently. Discrimination was shouted by the infected.
People don't understand how difficult it is to live with my illness. I'm still human!
Well... Mental illness is in that boat currently.
The torch has been passed.
Education is needed and understanding required that when this illness strikes it can be as debilitating as much as a physical illness.

I hope this had helped in some ways to those out there.

Ps. If you have a mental illness. You are not alone. It's tough but this moment shall pass and your next smile is just around the corner. Don't give up. Surround yourself with those positive people you so much need every day!

 

[HavocXphere]

She decided to email her manager to explain that she is depressed

Ouch. That wasn't a good move.

Legalities aside that'll pretty much ruin all future chances at promotions etc

 

[Corvus]

A friend of mine is suffering from depression. She saw a doctor a couple of months ago who put her on anti depro meds and anti anxiety meds. Adding to that, she recently got divorced, relocated to Jhb and is struggling to find a place to stay as her salary barely covers her monthly expenses and living with family until she does has also turned out to be more stressful than anticipated. All of this is taking a toll on her performance at work and she is really stressing that her slower turnover of deliverables as of late is being viewed in a negative light by her superiors. She decided to email her manager to explain that she is depressed and has sought medical assistance to combat it but realises it is having a negative affect on her performance. Now she is worried that they can use this against her and dismiss her. Surely it is unconstitutional to dismiss her for depression or even for poor performance if she has told them she is suffering from depression and has sought medical assistance? I'm not quite sure what to tell her or what advice I can give her...

What's the end result here?