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Workplace adjustments and mental health while maintaining privacy

IceSkaterSenior Contributor23 Feb 2025, 8:21 pm AEDT

Workplace adjustments and mental health while maintaining privacy

Hi everyone! I joined here around the beginning of the year and have been a little inactive lately, but for those I haven't met before, a bit about me: I have PTSD (mostly single event related but with elements of recurring attachment / relational etc trauma), been in ongoing treatment, and am currently stepping up hopefully in terms of lived experience related volunteering / programs at some other mental health organisations. I do like ice skating and recently got confident in a new skill after much practice ^_^

So, I've had some good professional milestones recently, and am starting a new office-based job very soon, that pays more and aligns more with my skills. I've had a good impression of the manager so far -- I mentioned briefly about needing adjustments at work in terms of quiet space (and they already knew before they made the offer that I needed to work reduced hours, which I've now told them are for medical appointments without going into detail), and they've been really friendly and supportive. The organisation is also large-ish so has a formal workplace adjustments policy which is good.

However, I am 100% sure I don't want to let anyone know what I'm going through is mental health related. I'm reflecting on different things from past jobs and how I've had a panic attack happen / cried in front of my immediate supervisor at least once in every job I've been in -- which I really don't want to repeat given this is a role I really like and want to do well in. I'm also anxious about how other people might interpret things -- even saying 'appointments' has led to curiosity from other people in the past. I did tell a supervisor in my previous role about my PTSD to try and advocate for change within the organisation when they weren't being very trauma-informed, and it didn't really help me, so I'm going to maintain my privacy from now on.

Does anyone have past experience in seeking support etc at work without telling people about the condition itself? The concept of asking for adjustments at work is still quite foreign to me too, I'm slowly getting better at advocating for myself -- does anyone have advice or suggestions?

Thank you all!

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In response to: Workplace adjustments and mental health while maintaining privacy

tymeModerator23 Feb 2025, 8:42 pm AEDT

Re: Workplace adjustments and mental health while maintaining privacy

In one of my past jobs, I tell people I need a break or need time off, but I never let the know the actual condition @IceSkater

And yes, HR and everyone respected that. They regularly checked in on me to make sure I was okay, and when I had appointments, I provided a medical cert/attendance cert which pretty much said I was there, but didn't reveal my condition.

Doctors can help you with this. They may be able to write their recommendations and you DON'T have to reveal your condition if you don't want to.

e.g. I am current treating XYZ for a medical condition. As part of this medical condition, XYZ would benefit from XYZ...

Don't feel trapped my friend. If they value your skills, they'll bend over backwards for you 🙂

All the best! And it's great to see you here again after a long time 🙂