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New boss not supportive of mental health

New boss not supportive of mental health

Hi,

I'm not really sure what to do. I just started a new job this week. Today my immediate manager told me that the manger for the whole facility didn't want to give me the job because I have PTSD. Apparently they had trouble with an employee who had depression. Hearing this has made me anxious about not being able to hide all my mental health problems. I feel like i'm not going to be supported and that if my mental health stuff comes up I'm going to lose my job. In the past I have been honest about when i'm having a hard time with mental health stuff, but I feel like now I must hide it. Im so anxious of doing something wrong. I also don't know what to do if I need time off because the mental health. I have had past hospital admissions that sometimes last a month. I don't know how I can do this without talking to my manager about the reasons for my long absence.

I just don't know what to do now

19 replies

1 - 10 of 19

In response to: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Hi @peps

Sorry to hear about this is not okay and you have every right to be concerned. It is discrimination to treat you any differently due to a mental illness. I'll put a link here https://humanrights.gov.au/quick-guide/12067 Might be worth a read. It's just awful that they are making you feel this way and really disappointing. Is there someone at work who you trust that you might be able to confide in?

Sending warmest wishes

Hanami

In response to: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Hey @peps ,

I'm sorry to hear this has happened. It must be so hard where you try to be honest, then end up not getting a position because of it.

Do you feel your PTSD affects your work performance?

I'm no expert, but I'm not sure people can refuse you a job on the grounds that you have mental health condition/s - unless it directly affects your work performance.

I hid my mental health from my corporate workplace for many years. That's why I turned to forums like SANE to give me an outlet to share what was going on for me.

Do you think that would help?

In response to: Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

HI @hanami

I don't really trust anyone there yet I still feel anxious about starting the do job and learning everyones names. The general manger hasn't spoken to me at all. The last time I had a conversation with her was at the interview. My direct manger is the one that said she had to say that just because I had PTSD doesn't mean I'm not going to be good at the job. I don't think my direct manager thought about what she was telling me. I just feel on edge about it all and i'm terrified of what will happen if I panic, have a flash back or dissociate at work. I don't know what to do when it happens and feel unsafe telling anyone about it.

In response to: Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

I'm not sure if it will help. I did get the job and started Tuesday. It concerns me that they only employed me decease my direct manager said there was something about me she liked in the interview.

In response to: Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

@peps your workplace has an obligation to support you if anything like what you fear happens. Of course just because you have PTSD does not mean you aren't good at your job. They shouldn't think that either.

It's the law that they are supportive towards you.

In response to: Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Congratulations! You know what? You earned the job! @peps At least no one can say it landed on your lap.

Walk in there with confidence, and your whole demeanour will change 🙂

I believe in you 🙂

In response to: Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

I get so much anxiety about being judged and doing something wrong that I don't think I would say anything even if they did something wrong. I already wasn't sure about the job because of all the changes that happen with a new job. But I have to work.

In response to: Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

I hear you get a lot of anxiety about getting judged. Do you have a therapist you can work with around this anxiety? @peps

It's so important that you feel psychologically safe at work.

Let your strengths shine in your new job 🙂

We're hear to chat if you ever need a chat.

In response to: Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

I do have a psychologist but won't see her until the end of next week.

In response to: Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

Re: New boss not supportive of mental health

What I found helpful with seeing a psychologist is writing down everything I want to discuss in a session @peps . It makes the session something to look forward to and to get as much support as I can.

I hope you will be able to work through some of these anxieties when you see your psychologist next.

What are somethings you enjoy doing in your free time?

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