Aa
Used my Bipolar Toolkit today with an employer for 1st time
I had a bit of a slip up in the past week with managing my bipolar. Had run out of melatonin which I normally use to help me get to sleep and substituted Xanax for it instead (also because I'm getting really stressed as well at the moment and just wanted to escape and have a good nights sleep for a change) Naughty I know, but I think you also know how it gets sometimes. Anyway woke up like the dead a couple of days in a row and ended up getting into work late. Yesterday was the worst and work could see there was something going on with me and asked.
Even though I wasn't really too bad I decided I'd give my Bipolar Toolkit (as I like to call it) a bit of a run for the very first time directly with an employer. So went back to my desk downloaded it from my hotmail account and added some information about how I was feeling right then (namely I was just really drowsy from taking Xanax) and handed it over. I then went for a bit of a walk and had a coffee to help wake myself up.
So what's my Bipolar Toolkit well basically its a document (well group of documents actually) that I put together when I was feeling good to be used when I was feeling really bad but didn't want to freak out anyone. It's tailored to myself as we are all different but basically explains that I am Bipolar, the type of Bipolar I am, an explanation around Bipolar, The type I have (Hypomania) and explanation of that, What my current management program is (to let them know I'm doing my best to manage it), Some benefits of hypomania, some individual benefits I have (such as my high IQ and very high level of creativity), Some ideal roles for me, practical management ideas for people managing me, famous people with hypomania, an appendix with a list of some of my really good ideas I've had in the past, and then yesterday I added a section "Current Situation" letting them know how I was feeling right then. Also a blurb how legally I didn't have to tell them anything at all but had chosen to. It also included a list of phone numbers of people they could ring if they wanted to including my temp manager, disability employment service case manager, psychologist, psychiatrist, nutritionist, GP, Wife etc.
I also included a copy of my Biography and CV which when you read after reading the Toolkit you can see how all the awards and achievements I win could easily be linked to periods of hypomania.
I then also included a copy of the "2010 Workers with Mental Illness: A Practical guide for Managers" written by the Australian Human Rights Commission which is about 50 pages long.
Anyway I handed it over, said I was going to get a cup of coffee and it worked really well, when I got back my manager told me it was a really good document, but most importantly she didn't look freaked out at all. Anyway after lots of cups of coffee I managed to get through the day came home and have now just awoken from a 14 hour sleep.
Even though I wasn't really too bad I decided I'd give my Bipolar Toolkit (as I like to call it) a bit of a run for the very first time directly with an employer. So went back to my desk downloaded it from my hotmail account and added some information about how I was feeling right then (namely I was just really drowsy from taking Xanax) and handed it over. I then went for a bit of a walk and had a coffee to help wake myself up.
So what's my Bipolar Toolkit well basically its a document (well group of documents actually) that I put together when I was feeling good to be used when I was feeling really bad but didn't want to freak out anyone. It's tailored to myself as we are all different but basically explains that I am Bipolar, the type of Bipolar I am, an explanation around Bipolar, The type I have (Hypomania) and explanation of that, What my current management program is (to let them know I'm doing my best to manage it), Some benefits of hypomania, some individual benefits I have (such as my high IQ and very high level of creativity), Some ideal roles for me, practical management ideas for people managing me, famous people with hypomania, an appendix with a list of some of my really good ideas I've had in the past, and then yesterday I added a section "Current Situation" letting them know how I was feeling right then. Also a blurb how legally I didn't have to tell them anything at all but had chosen to. It also included a list of phone numbers of people they could ring if they wanted to including my temp manager, disability employment service case manager, psychologist, psychiatrist, nutritionist, GP, Wife etc.
I also included a copy of my Biography and CV which when you read after reading the Toolkit you can see how all the awards and achievements I win could easily be linked to periods of hypomania.
I then also included a copy of the "2010 Workers with Mental Illness: A Practical guide for Managers" written by the Australian Human Rights Commission which is about 50 pages long.
Anyway I handed it over, said I was going to get a cup of coffee and it worked really well, when I got back my manager told me it was a really good document, but most importantly she didn't look freaked out at all. Anyway after lots of cups of coffee I managed to get through the day came home and have now just awoken from a 14 hour sleep.
I've been looking for a job I can handle working since July. As you can see it's been almost a year.
I feel so sad for all of you.
It's the worst having all that stress at work.
I've experienced all that petty rubbish all too often.
I have never disclosed to employers
but I did not manage to keep the jobs either...
:-/
It's the worst having all that stress at work.
I've experienced all that petty rubbish all too often.
I have never disclosed to employers
but I did not manage to keep the jobs either...
:-/
Welcome to the club! I'm also looking for a job right now for the next summer season! I'm working as hotel receptionist and doing seasons for now! I skiped this winter season 'cause i didn't want to go far away and there was nothing close! I must say that i'm impressed with how you are dealing with your problem! Sure, get the best out of it! My problem is my secret! And no one knows about it, but my family! And my boss from 2009. I quit my job in a way you can't imagine when i was manic! After, when i was good again, i told him why i acted that way, and that i am on meds now, and can still be great, but he didn't want to hire me again! I was so ashamed (i'm very proud person) and that really hit me. I moved away! New city, new luck! Well, good luck to us in finding a new place!
Hmm Sad news, my Manager at work was moved to another area, new Manager came in and within a few weeks they ended my temp contract, I think it was directed from one of the managers above her.
Oh well time to get a new job I guess
Oh well time to get a new job I guess
Thanks, I do get a copy. And then I have the copy scanned into my medical record. :) I do that for several reasons. 1) To show how my illness effects me at work, because it does. And 2) because I know that will be safely kept in my medical record for 7 years so that just in case I lose it. I know my limitations and I know I lose things because when I'm not well it's like my brain is a tornado and that's when I suffer and struggle. :(
Before you get fired, make sure you get copies (if possible) of your write-ups. I would ask for clarifications on what company 'rule' you broke for each one (saying you're overwhelmed - I'm just not understanding how they could possibly have a rule against that... surely that write-up was a load of you know what).
The reason I say before is I know at least my husband's company will not give copies after you're fired AT ALL. The only way anyone can get them is through a court subpoena, and even then their lawyers can fight it... which leaves you, in terms of employment termination disagreements, at a 'he said/she said' fight... with nothing to back you up.
Just play it off like you're trying to learn and grow from it (just explain you want to make sure you don't make the same mistakes again). I'd even consider snapping a pic with my phone when they aren't looking if you can't get a copy (when they aren't looking).
It's amazingly hard to win an unemployment case against an employer who plays the nitpicky game.
The other thing is I wouldn't sign anything if I couldn't have a copy if at all possible. I would say I'm not comfortable, I keep everything I sign for my records, etc (of course, if it's lose your job or sign it, I'd likely have to sign it... maybe try the phone thing...).
It *****.... just a few tips from the other side ;) Don't know if it'll help, but just in case...
The reason I say before is I know at least my husband's company will not give copies after you're fired AT ALL. The only way anyone can get them is through a court subpoena, and even then their lawyers can fight it... which leaves you, in terms of employment termination disagreements, at a 'he said/she said' fight... with nothing to back you up.
Just play it off like you're trying to learn and grow from it (just explain you want to make sure you don't make the same mistakes again). I'd even consider snapping a pic with my phone when they aren't looking if you can't get a copy (when they aren't looking).
It's amazingly hard to win an unemployment case against an employer who plays the nitpicky game.
The other thing is I wouldn't sign anything if I couldn't have a copy if at all possible. I would say I'm not comfortable, I keep everything I sign for my records, etc (of course, if it's lose your job or sign it, I'd likely have to sign it... maybe try the phone thing...).
It *****.... just a few tips from the other side ;) Don't know if it'll help, but just in case...
I am already disclosed and had set up accomidations for frequent breaks, etc. But those have been taken away from me now and they are adding more work. I got written up for stating that I was feeling overwhelmed, forgetting 1 thing, and that our fax machine wasn't working but somehow it is my fault, and mis-filing 1 piece of paper. That was all. That should have been a warning, not a write up. :(
I feel they are doing everything they can to make sure I get fired. When I had my old boss I only got writen up once 2 years ago for an emotional explosion at work, that is understandable. But, now that I have my new boss I'm getting writ up every 3 months for minor mistakes.
I feel they are doing everything they can to make sure I get fired. When I had my old boss I only got writen up once 2 years ago for an emotional explosion at work, that is understandable. But, now that I have my new boss I'm getting writ up every 3 months for minor mistakes.
Xila - be careful about disclosing your illness if you're in the states. I believe BP2 is in Australia and was placed through a center that was specifically aware of his disability.
The reason I say that is yes, they have to make accomodations if you have an illness, but ONLY if it doesn't directly impact their job description of the work required. So, that person that posted about being late and such... even if it was due to issues with bipolar, he doesn't get an automatic out - it is directly impacting his job function and therefore not discrimination. It has to be possible for them to accommodate without interference with the essential job, if that makes sense.
If they CAN accommodate without any issues (such as a desk job where you could work different hours where you don't need supervision in the above example), then disclose. If not, I would not chance them knowing, as they may start looking for reasons to legitimately write you up and fire you (and make it unrelated to bipolar, but nitpicky).
Just my two cents, but I'd only disclose if they can help you, not just so they know. Sad, but that's how it works...
The reason I say that is yes, they have to make accomodations if you have an illness, but ONLY if it doesn't directly impact their job description of the work required. So, that person that posted about being late and such... even if it was due to issues with bipolar, he doesn't get an automatic out - it is directly impacting his job function and therefore not discrimination. It has to be possible for them to accommodate without interference with the essential job, if that makes sense.
If they CAN accommodate without any issues (such as a desk job where you could work different hours where you don't need supervision in the above example), then disclose. If not, I would not chance them knowing, as they may start looking for reasons to legitimately write you up and fire you (and make it unrelated to bipolar, but nitpicky).
Just my two cents, but I'd only disclose if they can help you, not just so they know. Sad, but that's how it works...
Hmmm, my boss that's been really cool has been moved into another builiding and no longer looks after us. Big resctructure all of a sudden, she wasn't too happy about it either. Have a new manager starting this week, need to work out how best to play my bipolar toolkit. Want to use this temp assignment as practice for coming out properly later on in year. Think I might try to build a relationship with her first and then send her the bipolar toolkit early in the new year.
Try http://www.bipolar-lives.com/ that is where I first got the idea of a Bipolar Toolkit, have built on it from there though. Send me a note with your email if you like and I'll send you through a copy of mine if it helps. :0)
Do you have any places online to suggest for information for the toolkit? I need to use mine. Got written up again to due to my illness.
Work is cool, but my temp manager is breaking my balls a bit. I'm trying my best dude give me a break, decided to come in early and work some extra hours on a day off to make up to him. Hard work as I was really exhausted, should really just have called in sick for the week.
Had a hypo day today though and ended up clearing a massive backlog of work, thats got to go well for me.
Also they want me to meet the operations manager, have a feeling they might be looking to offer me a promotion. They have already said they want to extend my contract. :0)
Had a hypo day today though and ended up clearing a massive backlog of work, thats got to go well for me.
Also they want me to meet the operations manager, have a feeling they might be looking to offer me a promotion. They have already said they want to extend my contract. :0)
Yeah it seems to be working really well, I think I'm lucky as I'm mostly hypomanic rather than depressed and as such when I came clean they said it help explain why I was so productive. Then when I started explaining things like my creativity and ability to hyperfocus they kind of looked at it as more of an edge rather than a hinderence. Think that might also have a lot to do with what I put into my Bipolar toolkit.
Yeah, that would not be such a good idea over here in the States.
They might not fire you over it, but in a situation like you listed above, you'd end up fired, though not because of your bipolar (at least on paper). Admitting you took a substance that affected your performance, and that you have to occasionally just would be a reeeaally bad idea. Not to mention they can do their own research after you've admitted you have bipolar and come to their own conclusions. I'm married to a manager, and while he is VERY sensitive (I would say a ton more sensitive than most) to this type of thing, it would have gone over poorly with him.
The problem with mental illness, as with any illness, is that it's fine unless it affects your job performance. Most companies depend on employees to show up to work every day and be productive.
And I see both sides of this. I see the issues my husband has with employees that he can't depend on. And, of course, I have bipolar myself and had some rough patches that did affect my performance.
They might not fire you over it, but in a situation like you listed above, you'd end up fired, though not because of your bipolar (at least on paper). Admitting you took a substance that affected your performance, and that you have to occasionally just would be a reeeaally bad idea. Not to mention they can do their own research after you've admitted you have bipolar and come to their own conclusions. I'm married to a manager, and while he is VERY sensitive (I would say a ton more sensitive than most) to this type of thing, it would have gone over poorly with him.
The problem with mental illness, as with any illness, is that it's fine unless it affects your job performance. Most companies depend on employees to show up to work every day and be productive.
And I see both sides of this. I see the issues my husband has with employees that he can't depend on. And, of course, I have bipolar myself and had some rough patches that did affect my performance.
I did not have a good experience with my employer either after they found out I have schizophrenia and fired me, although they didn't fire me for that. But they told me I needed to keep my work and psychosis separate or I would be fired and when I was fired they told me specifically they were having security escort me out because they were afraid I would be violent because I get psychotic from time to time and one of them I told being psychotic doesn't always mean you're violent and they reacted with one eyebrow cocked and went "...really?!" but the reason I know they all think that is another story I don't feel like getting into right now. They also had someone sit in on me being fired which I was told that only happens when they're afraid the person will attack them.
I am glad that divulging is working for you. For me I ended up fired when I came back from a leave of absense. Where I work now the boss knows because I told her before she was my boss, and is very good about it.
I always lean on the side of caution. I have heard many a horror story and only a few good ones like yours.
Tanya
I always lean on the side of caution. I have heard many a horror story and only a few good ones like yours.
Tanya
I'm glad it worked for you, you seem to have a workplace with a very chilled open attitude. Unfortunately the minute my workplace realised I had bipolar they tried to say I was untrustworthy and incompetent they went straight to my GP for a full psychiatric history which...let's say does not make easy reading...especially the parts that refer to past history of drug use hospitalisation overdose etc. Needless to say I don't think I will be working there much longer. I hate it when you can never get rid of the stuff you've done in the past no matter how long ago...it's all in your records. :( Sorry for the grim relpy!!
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