I know someone who is bipolar, and her employer has made her take time off because she was having difficulty concentrating on her work. They want her to come back, but they act like she is on drugs (they point-blank asked her). Should she tell her employer that there is a vaild reason for her problem, or just write it off as a bad day?
2007-04-20 02:28:03 · 8 answers · asked by looking_for_all_the_answers 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Bi-Polar is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act. This means if employer knows of disability it must provide for reasonable accommodations in the workplace. That being said, some employers can wiggle and say they cannot accommodate for lack of concentration. Others will provide time off or accept conferencing with medical provided on a periodic basis. Most never tell employer or even if employer knows, does not understand the nature of the disorder. For now, recommend writing it off as a bad day. However, if there is a good relationship with employer, advise consulting with doctor first and then communicating as recommended. Some drugs used to managed BP cause drowsiness and BP does have its regimen of concentration issues but usually are temporary with right medications for mood swings and anxiety.
2007-04-20 02:36:44 · answer #1 · answered by Joseph H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a really bad stigma attached to bipolar people. People don't have enough information or correct information about the disorder so telling someone that is not informed about having the disorder may be harmful. I suggest her telling her employer that she has an illness and that she is taking medication for it.
It is a little concerning that she is having problems at work though. While her employer can't fire her because she has an illness, she can be fired for poor performance. If she is being sent home because she can't perform this is a serious problem. She may need to see her psychiatrist and see if there needs to be a medication adjustment.
2007-04-20 02:45:08 · answer #2 · answered by ladyluck 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I would advise against revealing the details of a medical condition to an employer. The employer needs only to know that she is or is not fit to perform the required functions of her position.
The bottom line, is that you can't unring a bell. In other words, if her employer has any unusual misperceptions about bipolar disorder, he or she may (even unwittingly) discriminate against the employee.
Your friend's best bet is to follow her dr's advise (particularly when it comes to meds and therapy). Go back to work and do the best job that she can.
In my opinion, she need not (and should not) reveal the details. If her employer presses her for details, he/she is in violation of the law regarding medical privacy.
Hopefully, your friend will be able to return to work and perform her job with little interference from her condition.
Best of luck to her,
~M~
p.s. She is lucky to have a friend like you who will seek out advice for her in this potentially sticky situation.
2007-04-20 02:34:28 · answer #3 · answered by michele 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
There is something called HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act ). Your employer should not know your health problems. That's the reason for having an HR department or an HR person. That person is familiar with HIPAA regulations and is required, by law, to not allow any "different" treatment due to health related issues. They're also responsible for making sure no health matters are disclosed to any person not authorized to know such things.
2007-04-20 02:33:24 · answer #4 · answered by Scadle 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
There are 3 reasons, that I can think of to tell your employer something.
1) if your job has to do with the safety of yourself or others
2) if your job attendance is affected
3) if you are unable to perform your duties at times
2007-04-20 03:17:38 · answer #5 · answered by Hope 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
This is one of those occasions where I would tell her to lie. People are not well informed and are prejudiced even though they may claim they aren't. This is a disease and no different from having asthma.
2007-04-20 02:39:43 · answer #6 · answered by alice 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
YES! They cannot legally fire her for a mental illness, unless it affects the business or her ability to do her job. They may give her a break if they know, and what's the worst that could happen? It's not like it her fault, so she should not be self-conscious about it.
2007-04-20 02:32:01 · answer #7 · answered by shark805 2 · 2⤊ 3⤋
tell them you had a bad day. you dont want to be gossiped about.
2007-04-20 02:34:18 · answer #8 · answered by Hogtown 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋