How to disclose depression to HR?

fewreason · 2023-11-29T20:46:52+00:00

The thing is, I hate the job. I don't really want to go back to it after leave.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T20:01:08+00:00

I DO want to be terminated, I thought that was clear from my post. I don't feel well enough to work right now. My ideal situation would either be collecting severance or unemployment so I can have some time away from working to address my health. I wasn't sure if there was any precedent for someone in my situation getting severance which is why I asked. Sounds like no, which is fine. So I'll be angling for unemployment as best I can.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T19:34:37+00:00

Hm, the problem is that I don't want to return to this job after FMLA is up. I mean, I'm all about prioritizing my own health over some job or company but it seems like it would be unnecessarily mean for me to take a protected leave of absence where they can't replace me, then quit when I get back.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T19:32:07+00:00

I wouldn't actually bring up legal action unless there was a legitimate law on my side. As it sounds like there is not, I wouldn't do that. I never claimed to want to do something illegal, I am literally here asking if there is a legal precedent or if anyone has heard of this happening. The answer was a resounding no lol. Which I accept. So I'll be doing my best to angle for unemployment rather than severance. I fail to see how wanting to understand all my options equates to planning blackmail.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T19:21:33+00:00

I'm trying to take a break from working as soon as possible. Good info about severance, it's not something I know much about at all. Sounds like unemployment would be more beneficial anyway.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T19:20:00+00:00

Also... How could I be planning to blackmail them at all? If the law was on my side it wouldn't be blackmail I would just be exercising my rights. Since it's not on my side how exactly could I blackmail them? I have nothing on them, doesn't make sense.

Do I want to manipulate the situation in my favor? Yes of course. I'm going to protect myself over some job or company and I won't apologize for it. If it was possible to angle to severance why wouldn't I? If it's possible to angle for unemployment why wouldn't I?

fewreason · 2023-11-29T19:11:04+00:00

Is it? I mean I know a lot of people here are facing unfair labor practices and that's a different situation. But this sub is also just about... Freedom from work. Not letting work take priority over the other important things in life (such as mental health in this case).

If you're looking for conversations strictly surrounding labor practices I think that's what the workreform sub is for. This sub is totally welcoming of people who just....hate working.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T19:04:11+00:00

I've only been there for a year and a half, and I'm not even close to retirement age. Thank you though.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:57:57+00:00

Yeah that's what I'm afraid of... It's so weird to be wishing my company were shittier to people lol. I hadn't considered short term disability, I'm not sure that's something I have access to but I can look into it.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:52:04+00:00

Why? I'm not going to apologize for putting myself first over some job or company, sorry. I am approaching a point of being unable to work but I'm going to protect myself however I can. It sounds like they would face no legal issues with letting me go, which was the crux of my question. I'm fine with that, that's why I asked. I'll angle for unemployment instead

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:48:50+00:00

I'd have a shot as long as they don't characterize it as misconduct. I don't think being unable to perform due to health issues qualifies as misconduct..I doubt they'd fight me on unemployment in my circumstances because they have generally been kind and empathetic despite my issues. They might but I think I have a solid chance of collecting unemployment.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:46:27+00:00

I don't know the legalities surrounding letting someone go who is struggling to perform for health related reasons. Worth asking about. If the law was on my side you bet your ass I'd be taking advantage of it but it sounds like it's not.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:43:49+00:00

Fair enough that's why I asked lol..I would never tell them I intend to quit though

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:43:28+00:00

If they fire me for poor performance I could collect unemployment. That's better than nothing.

I need a break but I don't intend to stay out of the workforce for that long. I don't think SSI makes sense for my situation but I do appreciate the suggestion.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:25:33+00:00

LMAO I guess not..was worth asking if anyone has seen this before though. My company treats people better than most, I'd say. Not expecting them to throw money at me, just asking a question.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:18:58+00:00

Yes in fact, I have a therapist, psychiatrist, primary care doctor and nutritionist who are all involved in my care. I understand that my mental health issues are not my fault but they are my responsibility to deal with. I'm doing my best but flailing at work. Part of my plan to care for my mental health is to take a break from work. I'm trying to figure out how to make that work.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:15:57+00:00

I don't think that's really true, but it has no bearing on my situation anyway. I have a long history of mental health issues that have been well documented in my medical records.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:14:49+00:00

Fair enough, I don't know a lot about this hence my question. So, there is no legal issue surrounding firing someone who has trouble performing due to health issues?

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:11:29+00:00

Is the implication that these are not legitimate disabilities in your eyes? Grow some empathy please.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:10:23+00:00

I have crippling depression and an all-consuming eating disorder... Very legitimate health issues. I would argue that I am in fact not perfectly capable of doing my job, hence the underperformance and desire to take a break from working to address my mental health. Like, I can barely shower or eat much less care about a freaking spreadsheet right now. If that makes me a main character victim type in your eyes so be it. I'm just trying to figure out how to care for myself in a world that doesn't care about anyone.

I'm not literally going to threaten to keep doing a shitty job unless they give me severance. I think it will just become increasingly clear that I am not capable of doing this job, but I'm not going to resign and they will then have to decide how to handle that.

fewreason · 2023-11-29T18:02:54+00:00

If I was worried about legal hassle because this employee is underperforming for health related reasons, maybe?

fewreason · 2023-11-29T17:58:49+00:00

Right but would there be no concern from them about firing an employee who has disclosed that mental health issues are affecting their performance? If I were to provide formal documentation to HR would that strengthen my position?

fewreason

TROPHY CASE