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Discrimination in the workplace - to complain or not?

Discrimination in the workplace - to complain or not?

Hi, I am diagnosed with major depressive disorder and am currently receiving treatment from a psychiatrist after being suicidal and self-harming and coming close to pulling the metaphorical plug last year. I disclosed my condition to my employer last year and since then have had encountered issues in the workplace - exclusion (not invited to meetings, being ignored when asking for assistance or offering to help on projects) , isolation, bullying - being shouted at. I have now had a formal complaint about my performance made against me by my manager and am being forced into a meeting with HR with a view to terminate my employment. After first disclosing my condition management paid for three sessions with a workplace psychologist which I didn't find beneficial but still attended and I was verbalIy assured I would be supported. I have been with this employer for eight years with no previous performance issues. What makes this worse is that I am employed by a large Melbourne-based healthcare provider who provides mental health services amongst other things. I would have thought they would be more empathetic. I believe my treatment constitutes discrimination and it certainly fits the legal definition as none of this happened before I disclosed my condition. Should I lodged a formal complaint with the human rights commission as they are the relevant legal body or should I just suck it up? I really need assistance with this - is anyone aware of anyone who can advocate for me in my meetings with management and HR? I've already tried beyondblue and worksafe and neither of them provides or could recommend advocacy services. Thanks, Dugga


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In response to: Discrimination in the workplace - to complain or not?

Re: Discrimination in the workplace - to complain or not?

@Former-Member@utopia@Queenie

Hi dugga

Thank you so much for your post - you have exemplified self advocacy and so strongly campainged for anti-discrimination. I feel your hurt deeply and acknowledge the pain in your experience. I am heartened by your strength and ability to face the horror. I am also gladdened to hear of your spontaneous interaction - 'tis Karma. I know that my therapy practice helps others and is highly valued. So much better than the experiences I have been through.

I now have the date for the concilliation hearing 8/11/2017. I am literally terrified, as you must have been in regards to the damage this will cause to me personally. I am still unable to consider what has happened without reacting badly. The whole thing has created so much despair and anxiety. It is so hard to know that the pain will show.

I am so pleased for you with your outcome - escape from a toxic environment and some time to commence healing.

I so want the same.

I have an interview for a therapist position on 19/10/17 somehow I have to find a way to present as OK. Find my therapeutic persona and self esteem and confidence.

As you know these areas are stripped from you in a dreadful work environment where discrimination is rampant.

I hope you are doing OK and can find some sense of pride in yourself for what you have achieved for all of us.

With many thoughts

Bast (in loving memory) and Odin

In response to: Discrimination in the workplace - to complain or not?

Re: Discrimination in the workplace - to complain or not?

hello @Former-Member

well done you.......great tenacity

yes you are happy because you stood up for your principles even though the monster corporation stacked all of the odds against you

I am so proud of you

I have been on sick leave for three and a half years now....treated dreadfully by the claims department who were controlling my part salary payment

would you believe I received a telephone call from the new department manager....I left a message on his phone to please put all questions in writing

The letter I received detailing a full description of my mental state when I first went on leave, from a doctor's medical report. So much for confidentiality!!

He actually asked if I required more sick leave???? claims department have stopped paying me now...he also asked if I was considering returning to work?????? Hello??? He wants an uptodate medical report from my psychiatrist!!

So I am returning one of the pages he sent with a signed statement that I am retiring.

Corporations with the warm fuzzy mission statements.....the special "are you ok day".....fundraising for beyone blue

vomit

you have escaped the toxic environment....you stood by your principles....in my book you have won everything

all the best with your new exciting venture xx

In response to: Re: Discrimination in the workplace - to complain or not?

Re: Discrimination in the workplace - to complain or not?

Thanks for your kind words @Bast - I understand how it feels to have your confidence destroyed. When you reach the point where you second guess every decision you make. It's an awful feeling. I hope your conciliation hearing goes well. Even if you can't have a support person in the room with you make sure they are outside or easy to contact. I'm still reeling from Wednesday - it was seriously one of the hardest and longest days of my life. Hearing their lies about how much they'd tried to support me and made all these concessions for me in the workplace was awful and then having their attack dog lawyer make comments about me insinuating I was making it all up.

I was lucky to have such a good mediator who could see what they were up to and help me and my lawyer reach an agreement without having to go to a full hearing which would have probably destroyed me. Weird feeling not having a job but I look around the house and see how everything has fallen apart while this has been happening to me. Months and months of documenting and stressing has taken its toll but I know getting out that toxic environment is for the best. Time now to tidy the house and fix the garden and get rid of the piles of junk that have accumulated.

I know you'll do well in your interview - you've been through a lot and learned as I have and taking that experience to help others is the best thing you can do. All the best and take care.

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