Dealing with someone who had bipolar disorder?

Question

My Boss has bipolar disorder..his girlfriend told me in strict confidence, its something he doesnt want anyone to know. He refuses to get treatment. I quit working for him due to his abusive attitude. I havent answered his calls in a week due to the nasty msgs he's left on my phone. Here's the prob..its now payday and i have to deal with him to get paid. whats the best way? I heard through the grapevine he wont answer his phone when i call about pay..just to give me a taste of my own medicine..though i havent tried yet

i cant go over his head..he's the big boss..there's no one else to deal with

Answer 1

if it is payday, and you have already quit, they have to give you your paycheck. your boss' being bipolar is no excuse- he still has to run a legal business. Go there to pick up your check. If you go and he refuses, or you have issues, calmly inform the Human Resourses Dept. and/or Payroll of the situation... if you can't to that, then calmly inform him verbally that you will be notifying the Better Business Beaureau of his and the companys behavior. Most likely this will cause him to flip out on you... don't play the game... just turn around, walk out the door. As soon as you can type up a letter repeating the same thing you told him to his face about giving you your paycheck in a timely manner and that if he can not produce it by ___ date you will be reporting him, blah blah blah. Make 4 copies; mail/drop off one to him, mail/drop off one to either the Human Res. Department/ Payroll/ another manager, keep one for your records, and keep one to submit should you wind up having to contact the Better Business Beaureau.

The best thing you can do is let the behavior roll off your back, do not accept it, do not play along, do not cater to it. Think of it as dealing with Freaud's "Id" (not I.D.) stage of development. Yes, if it feels like you are dealing with a child in a temper tantrum sometimes... you kinda are. When in a manic phase- it is all about self satisfaction, there are no consequesces, and rarely self- control... almost as if the rational part of a person is stuck trying to drive from the cargo part of an S.U.V.
-I hope that the possible insight helps you deal with the guy, and I am happy for you choosing to get out. Sounds like he has a really strong girlfriend. I know I depend on my hubby on my down days when motivation escapes me. (of course I take my meds and pay attention to my sleep patterns as much as possible and all that so I can function as well as I do)

Answer 2

Speaking as someone who is bipolar I think you are very wise to quit your job. If your boss 'is' bipolar he is very unlikely to keep his job for long, let alone run a successful business for long either. I feel for you, it upsets most people to confront an abusive person, though I would like to venture your boss is not aware he is being so abusive. Bipolar people live and think on a much more intense emotional level, so extreme behaviour and language can seem to them (us) to be quite reasonable. It's like we do and say everything through an amplifier.
It takes someone who isn't sensitive and has the hide of rhinoceros to befriend, work with, or be a bipolar sufferer's partner. One must remember it is the illness that is being abusive, not the person. I don't blame you for being upset, it is hell on this side of the fence for us bipolar's too. No lasting friends, no love, no long term job.
If you're boss doesn't pay you what he owes you then ask politely and calmly, ignoring the extreme language, then take your case for unpaid wages to an industrial tribunal. Personal confrontation rarely works, it's often helpful to deal with 'excited' bipolar people by way of an experienced and neutral third party. As for his girlfriend, I hope she knows of a good relationship counselling service for later on...or gets a discount ticket to her local wine store.

Answer 3

When dealing with a person with Bp who doesn't take meds, the best solution is to be totally agreeable. They tend to always think they're right, and everyone else is wrong, no matter the situation. They can be very argumentative. Make up a story; say you found another job, and the benefits were too good to pass up? Anything that will not make them lose "face".

Answer 4

If he refuses to pay you, go to your employment welfare department in your State and tll them what's going on. No matter what the beef, your employer has to pay you and file a claime against you, he cannot deduct anything from your wages and, not pay you.

In the second place, if your boss hasn't been to a doctor, how does he know he is bi-polar, my sister is bi-polar and had to take more then a few tests to show to what degree, etc. She is under treatment for it.

So, is this his diagnosis, or ? it sounds like bull to me to give a meaning to his unscrupple attitude, he's an ***____? and there's no other word for it.
Hold your head up, go insist on your wages and tell him to stick it, you'll come back with the cops if you have to.

Answer 5

Call your human resources department or payroll department and ask to have your check mailed. If the company is too small for that, take a co-worker with you to get your check so that you have a witness to anything said or done. Then stay away from him.
If he really has bipolar disorder that remains untreated, eventually his behavior will give him away. Hopefully before he hurts himself or someone else.

Answer 6

Just be as professional as possible and ask for your check. Does he have a supervisor because you could always go through them or a corporate office? If there is a higher authority you may want to report this behavior so that others do not have to tolerate it.

Answer 7

Try to get your pay from him the easy, normal way. If he plays hardball, then contact the state & federal labor boards.

Try to not listen to gossip. Sometimes others do this to stir anothers feelings.