Thoughts on disclosing mental health diagnosis at work to manager/HR?

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tehgerbil

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#293092 27-Dec-2021 19:06

Hey GZers,

May I ask what your thoughts are regarding disclosing mental health issues at work?

I’m going to start looking in the new year and have a recent diagnosis.

Is it “don’t ask don’t tell” or is honesty the best policy?

Would love to hear from managers who hire people if they’ve approached this before.

Thank you for reading.

Geektastic

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#2839385 27-Dec-2021 23:24

I claim no expertise other than life experience when I say that it probably depends on whether whatever your diagnosis is would possibly have an effect on the job.

If it has no likelihood of causing any concerns (for you or for the employer) then I would regard it as something you can keep private but that is merely my opinion.

lxsw20

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#2839391 28-Dec-2021 00:34

Unless you see it affecting your work from day dot I personally wouldn't.

Much as you'd hope an employer isn't bias about such a common thing there is no guarantee of that.

Eva888

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#2839397 28-Dec-2021 07:24

A friends son has Schizophrenia. He often goes AWOL to other centers or stops taking his meds. An employer who knew anything about such situations would need to consider the effect of such actions on other workmates and the company.

I agree with geektastic, a lot depends on the type of diagnosis and if it’s temporary or permanent as many mental health issues are curable and brief so those could be kept private.

Maybe consider entering a less stressful temporary position to start with rather than jumping into a long term more stressful career path and see how you go and decide later.

Best of luck.

josephhinvest

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#2839462 28-Dec-2021 09:38

I find it hard to think of any benefit to disclosing information like this unless absolutely necessary. HR is there to protect the company FROM you, not to work for you. They may also have no legal obligation to keep any information private, who knows who may end up knowing your personal info.
Seems like potentially lots to lose and not much to gain IMHO.

Cheers,
Joseph

rscole86

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#2839467 28-Dec-2021 09:57

Legally employers cannot discriminate based on your mental health.

If it's something like depression or anxiety and you have a good management plan in place, then don't tell them.
If you feel your mental health will negatively impact your ability to do the job, or create a health and safety issue for your colleagues, you need to decide if you're going to be up front about it.

Lastly, if you get a job and feel you're struggling ensure you notify your manager ASAP. Most employers have EAP or similar support services available.

Best of luck!

Mahon

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#2839477 28-Dec-2021 10:54

Although employers cannot legally discriminate against you, they are still human and do have bias. You need to be very careful here and only tell them what they need to know eg if you are on powerful drugs that may inhibit your ability to do your job.

You should proceed very quickly to get the help you need, but I would NOT tell the employer unless you really have to.

gzt

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#2839484 28-Dec-2021 12:08

I’m going to start looking in the new year and have a recent diagnosis. Is it “don’t ask don’t tell” or is honesty the best policy?

A friend asked me a similar question years ago. My response was similar to those above. If it does not affect your daily work then I don't see any reason your employer needs to know about that. In practice my friend decided against that on the basis of feeling like some part of him was hidden and he discloses to every employer.

Would love to hear from managers who hire people if they’ve approached this before.

Imo from a hiring perspective HR will see a large proportion of their workforce are being treated for one health condition or another and it's not a big issue.

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josephhinvest

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#2839488 28-Dec-2021 13:14

I would also add that after some upheaval in my personal life this year I have made good use of my employers EAP (Benestar). It has been extremely helpful and beneficial to my mental health and I would definitely recommend using a service like that if provided by your employer.

tehgerbil

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#2839669 28-Dec-2021 19:22

josephhinvest: I would also add that after some upheaval in my personal life this year I have made good use of my employers EAP (Benestar). It has been extremely helpful and beneficial to my mental health and I would definitely recommend using a service like that if provided by your employer.

Thank you, I have engaged EAP before regarding workplace bullying and and their response after a couple sessions was 'Get a new job' it did help motivate me to leave.

Thank you everyone, I appreciate your advice.

MikeB4

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#2839670 28-Dec-2021 19:31

This is a minefield for both employee and employer. I would you consult an employment lawyer.

Batman

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#2839746 29-Dec-2021 06:22

all i'll say is i learnt growing up that 1 in 5 will have a mental illness at some point.

i can totally relate and i don't judge anymore. i have been the one in 5.

now if it's that common ... does one have to declare they speak English?

but the point about specific role/responsibility is important.

eracode

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#2839747 29-Dec-2021 06:48

@tehgerbil I understand your quandary but wonder if it's a great idea to post a query like this here on GZ, where you have chosen to disclose your name. Anyone who wishes to do it can google your name and find out a bit about you, where you have worked, photos and so on. There's not much anonymity for you in this case.

Sometimes I just sit and think. Other times I just sit.

Batman

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#2839751 29-Dec-2021 06:59

i haven't look at OP's name but suggest he/she delete the thread.

Handsomedan

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#2839796 29-Dec-2021 09:14

I have hired a few staff from time to time and in particular over the last couple of years, when mental health has been a big and much-discussed subject.

I've never asked anyone if they suffer from mental or physical illness in the interview process. If it was a concern for the employee (once they have the job), I'd like to think that I am a fair and approachable enough boss that they could bring it up when it does become an issue at work and we can work together to make sure that the employee is being adequately supported. And I have had those discussions with staff - which I felt went well.

I have my moments as well - we all do. I can't say I have been diagnosed with mental illness, but I have suffered a bit over the last few years with a touch of "stuff" that could probably be described as mental illness. Unless I felt like it was affecting my work, or work was affecting my health, I wouldn't raise it with my boss. But I don't really have a great relationship with my boss, so I wouldn't trust him to have my best interests at heart - but as a company, we do have a strong focus on people and mental health.

TL;DR - No - don't raise it up front unless you believe it'll affect your work from the day you start.

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Batman

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#2839800 29-Dec-2021 09:21

Handsomedan:

I have hired a few staff from time to time and in particular over the last couple of years, when mental health has been a big and much-discussed subject.

I've never asked anyone if they suffer from mental or physical illness in the interview process. If it was a concern for the employee (once they have the job), I'd like to think that I am a fair and approachable enough boss that they could bring it up when it does become an issue at work and we can work together to make sure that the employee is being adequately supported. And I have had those discussions with staff - which I felt went well.

I have my moments as well - we all do. I can't say I have been diagnosed with mental illness, but I have suffered a bit over the last few years with a touch of "stuff" that could probably be described as mental illness. Unless I felt like it was affecting my work, or work was affecting my health, I wouldn't raise it with my boss. But I don't really have a great relationship with my boss, so I wouldn't trust him to have my best interests at heart - but as a company, we do have a strong focus on people and mental health.

TL;DR - No - don't raise it up front unless you believe it'll affect your work from the day you start.

i used to judge. until i got dose from literally out of nowhere. now i'm a changed human being. some things in life you don't forget.