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Hey,
What’s up? I have had a lot of people
ask me for suggestions as to how to
tell their boss they have bipolar disorder.
I recently wrote an article on the subject.
Here it is…
Oh before I get to that. Someone wrote me
yesterday: “I saw a David Oliver who worked
at the circus, was that you?”
I can tell you for sure, I don’t work at a
circus. And also, I am NOT a lawyer, doctor,
therapist, dog catcher, insurance agent,
spy for the drug industry (I get this a lot),
or any other kind of professional.
You should question everything that I say
and anything that I write is my opinion
not professional advice.
And if you go to the circus, I won’t
be there 🙂
Okay here’s the article:
Telling Your Employer You’ve Got
Bipolar Disorder?
Here Are Seven Suggestions
Perhaps you’ve been thinking about it for a
while, but just didn’t feel it very necessary
until now. Or perhaps you’re changing jobs and
forced with deciding whether your new employer
really needs to know you suffer with
bipolar disorder.
Making the decision to tell your supervisor or
other official at work about your bipolar disorder
is not a small step. Here are seven tips that might
help you make your disclosure on bipolar disorder
when the time comes.
1. Do some detective work before you reveal
your bipolar disorder.
In other words, just do your homework. Before you
actually make the decision to reveal you have
bipolar disorder, feel your supervisor out on
his attitude towards the topic of mental illness
in general. If you can, try to discover if others
with bipolar disorder have been hired? How well
have they been treated?
2. Give serious thought to disclosure on
bipolar disorder.
It’s not something done lightly, like telling
someone you have a hang nail. There is still a
large stigma associated with bipolar disorder.
In fact, you may be surprised just how many people
aren’t even sure what it is. Make sure you’re ready
to make the announcement on bipolar disorder.
3. Consider having your therapist sit in on
the meeting.
While this may sound extreme, the presence of your
therapist is an excellent idea. In this way,
he can answer any questions about the nature
of bipolar disorder in general. He would also
provide an excellent reference to reassure a
hesitant supervisor that even with your
bipolar disorder, you’ll function just fine
around the workplace.
4. Decide, ahead of time how you’ll handle
your disclosure of bipolar disorder.
Visualize how the meeting will go. Once you’ve
decided who’ll be attending the meeting announcing
your bipolar disorder, then decide you will actually
be doing most of the speaking. Rehearse what
could possibly be said about your bipolar disorder
and most importantly, what you can say in reply.
You are probably well aware of many of the questions
people have concerning bipolar disorder; prepare to
talk to these points. Also be prepared to reassure
the fears of any possible performance problems your
employer may think there will be with your
bipolar disorder.
5. Decide, specifically, what person at your
workplace you’ll reveal your bipolar disorder to.
Are you just going to reveal your bipolar disorder
to a few trusted co-workers? Are you planning to
tell your supervisor? Or perhaps you’re just going
to reveal it to the human resources director.
Whoever you tell about your bipolar disorder, be
sure you feel comfortable with the decision.
6. Be sure to talk about limitations
When discussing your bipolar disorder with your
employer, you need to be specific if you feel
you’ll have any limitations at all placed on you
because of the condition. Will you need any
out-of-the-ordinary accommodations? If you have
no limitations related to your bipolar disorder,
reassure him of this as well. You know it’s in
the back of his mind anyway.
7. Describe the symptoms
Even if your employer says he’s familiar with
bipolar disorder, describe the symptoms you
develop when you’re in an episode. Make sure
that she understands these. But more than that,
explain to her the best methods of handling these
symptoms. Also, don’t forget to tell your employer
any necessary information your doctor may want her
to know on bipolar disorder. This is also a great
time for you and your employer to talk about the
Americans with Disabilities Act in relation to
your bipolar disorder.
SUPPORTING AN ADULT WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarsupporter.com/report11
SUPPORTING A CHILD/TEEN WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.bipolarparenting.com
HAVE BIPOLAR DISORDER?
Visit:
http://www.survivebipolar.net
SIDE NOTE: I would really study the
Americans with Disabilities Act. Type it
in a search engine and read what comes up.
Then swing by the library and ask the “reference
librarian” to help you find information on
it and understand it. This law will help
you or your loved one with bipolar disorder.
Well that’s it. See you tomorrow.
Your Friend,
Dave
P.S. Don’t forget to take a look through the
different programs I’ve put together… each one is designed
to help you with a different area of bipolar disorder whether
you have it or you are supporting someone with it.
You can see them all and get the details by visiting:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/catalog.asp
P.P.S. Check out my F.ree blog with copies of emails
that I have sent in the past and lots of great
information for you:
http://www.bipolarcentral.com/supporterblog/
P.P.P.S Check out my F.ree podcast. Hear me give
mini seminars designed to teach you information
you can’t learn anywhere else.
http://bipolarcentral.libsyn.com
Hi Dave
Thank you so much for publishing that article. I am bi polar and have been wondering if I should tell my workplace. Sometimes my work is lacking and I was out of work last week because of an episode.
I will have to consult my new therapist and social worker about this consideration. The only worries I have is that everyone talks at work about everyone else and I don’t want to let on about my disease.
Thanks again for the help.
Michelle
Hey Dave,
Several years ago I was between doctors, unmedicated, and pretty much out of control. I was desperately trying to find a doctor, but my work was suffering. I made the decision to share my plight with my employer, so they would understand my flakey behavior. It was received very well, probably saved my job. My boss even made some calls for me to try and hook me up with a good M.D. Since then I have shared my secret with a lot of my coworkers, and it really helps them understand me and my various moods they might encounter.Got the doctor, got my boss on board, still have my job five years later. It works!
Dave,
Advising people to be aware of the Americans with Disability Act information prior to telling their boss of having Bipolar Disorder was a very important message! But, they should also go to their particular states website and look up the state statutes that specifically address people with disabilities and that states statues as it relates to certain rules and regulations for various type industries. Some states have their own set of rules that are “in addition” to the Federal Americans with Disability Act, and some have rules that apply differently to segments of the workforce depending on the type of industry you work in. FL for example goes beyond the normal time allowed for support for time off work, but in some cases they limit other things to a shorter period of time than the Federal version does. It is important to know what your particular state supports in addition to the rules of the Federal Act.
Aurelia
I am of two minds when it comes to telling an employer about being bipolar (does this make me sound schizophrenic?). The first job I had in a new state was as Department Secretary for the School of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. I wasn’t forthcoming with the information at first.
When I went to the Employment Office, I happened to see a woman I was with on the Psychiatric Ward of the University Hospital. I became afraid she would “spill the beans.”
I asked to speak to my boss to reveal my illness. Well, what to my surprise, she KNEW before I told her, as she brought student nurses to the Psychiatric Ward to interact with the patients – and I was one of them! She had hired me anyway! She told me my skills had impressed her, and she “took a chance” in hiring me. I stayed with the Department for a year, when I left to work in a renowned legal office, but to tell the truth, I was NEVER more scared than when I thought I would have to tell her of my past…
The second incident was with a lawyer. I received the ADA recommendation (that included a 50% tax break for hiring the handicapped), and told my boss that I had an “epilepsy-type” disorder. Yes, I lied, but he was a “straight by the book” kind of individual, and I didn’t want to blow my chances.
As luck would have it, I became less and less sure of myself with Spreadsheet Accounting. No matter what I did, I couldn’t figure it out. I even took the spreadsheet home, with instructions, but continued to make mistakes.
I finally went to him and explained that doing the accounting was creating anxiety in me, and that I was bipolar and couldn’t handle that part of the job. Well – you would have thought I was an axe murderer. He said if I had told him I was bipolar, he NEVER would have hired me, as some people he knew had the illness, and were worthless. I was given less than a two-week notice, and was fired! Needless to say, the last few days were “hell on earth.”
So – do you tell? Or don’t you tell? I think it depends on the circumstances. If you have a liberally-minded employer, give it a chance. What have you got to lose but a job you might not be able to do anyway? And if you have a less understanding boss, you can TRY to hide it, and hope you are not stressed so much on the job that you invite “triggers.”
We had this discussion almost bi-monthly in Lithium Group. All of us were pretty much divided on the issue. As for me, right now, I am an Independent Contractor for Mystery Shopping companies. They don’t NEED to know, because I have no personal supervisor – I work out of my home, and only do the “shops” and submit the reports over the Internet. As long as I consistently turn in scores of 10 out of 10, there are NO questions about my ability to DO the job.
All I’m saying is – feel out your workplace. See how people react to other instances of mental illness and if there is a stigma attached. If you can DO the job, and you DON’T feel you HAVE to tell your boss – DON’T. If you feel allowances have to be made to accommodate your illness, then maybe it’s not the job for you.
I got caught NOT being honest; I have been on Social Security Disability for 15 years, and my therapist has told me I CANNOT work a regular 9-5 job. But doing the work I do doesn’t stress me, and I’m only working for a pittance anyway – just enough for little luxuries like cigarettes.
In my corner, I just advise you to feel your way; if you’re uncomfortable about telling your boss about your illness, then it probably ISN’T the right working environment for you. But, in the end, it is YOUR judgment call. And by the way, GOOD LUCK whichever way you decide to go.
God bless.
Hi David
I wouldn’t know why one would inform an employer of Bipolar disorder-
not unless it was for medical insurance reasons-I don’t know why they label this chemical disorder under mental health issues.
I had a funny thought-I liken a manic phase to a Meth users high-they pay money to feel that way and Bi polars pay money not to feel that way! Thank you from KK