My Best Friend Has Mental Health Issues - Bipolar, He Is Worried That He Will Lose His Job if He Declares It to His Employer

Royalmarker59 on 21/09/2020 - 00:04
Last edited 21/09/2020 - 09:35 by 1 other user

My best friend works in private sector , one of the big 4 financial firms in Australia .recently diagnosed with Bipolar And severe anxiety .Never had behavioral issue But suffered anxiety post family tragedy And relationship issue few years ago . He never had problem in work place . My friend is now worried will loose job if employer finds out about his mental health issues .
I have been advising him to not to declare unless his behavior is affecting professionally .

His family is worried too as his partner works for public sector . I cannot do much other than telephone advise as he lives interstate . Also asked him to seek legal advise . He is already been seeing counseling services who say it is upto his own decision to or not to disclose.

Please advise what law says and how employer can support people with mental health issues .

Education & Work

Comments

  • infinity03 on 21/09/2020 - 00:23
    +2

    It will be lot harder to declare once it starts affecting performance. When declared after receiving poor feedback, the employer is likely to be more skeptical.

    He should also be protected by unfair dismissal laws.

    • Mechz on 21/09/2020 - 00:44
      +1

      Yes but if he has medical proof ie a doctors cert their skepticism means nothing with that proof. So just make sure he's getting help from a proper medical doctor or psychiatrist.

  • Stewardo on 21/09/2020 - 00:33
    -2

    Advice? Cloths?

  • AustriaBargain on 21/09/2020 - 00:40

    What kind of thing could happen at the workplace that could wind him in trouble, could he become aggressive with a customer or coworker?

    • Ultimate Gattai on 21/09/2020 - 00:47
      -1

      Having worked with 2 bi-polar girls before, it can be really tough to work with them, but I guess they can get through the work day, then again, it wasn't uncommon for them to have sick days off (I assume this is when they're at their worst). I wouldn't recommend working with them since they tend to have more bad days than good, but I guess it varies from person to person.

      • callum9999 on 21/09/2020 - 07:15
        +11

        A perfect illustration as to why we have, and desperately need, strict anti-discrimination laws.

        • orangetrain on 21/09/2020 - 13:22
          +1

          You'll be fired for other things or the classic, be put on a failing project. Fighting it is generally not worth it as its stacked against you unless they do something stupid like fire you over sms for being bi polar.

          I wish companies made it public about their employee turnover and/or number fired and why. Doesn't have to list names. Currently I have to rely on word of mouth to avoid these toxic workplaces.

    • Royalmarker59 on 23/09/2020 - 02:45

      As much as I am aware of and my friend never Admitted to showing aggression in his work place

  • whooah1979 on 21/09/2020 - 01:04

    one of the big 4 financial firms in Australia
    My friend is now worried will loose job if employer finds out about his mental health issues .

    Don't worry. The DDA 1992 will make sure he gets a fat cheque.

  • AustriaBargain on 21/09/2020 - 05:02

    Also if the job pays an income, maybe he should be paying for a psychologist or psychiatrist to help him manage his situation. A real private psychologist who chooses their own patients and not just a random one happy to churn through the 10 bulk billed visits, when they might not have any clinical experience with bipolar in the first place.

  • vikvance on 21/09/2020 - 07:28

    Attitudes to mental health have (thankfully) improved quite a lot in recent years.

    The employer will not (and cannot by law) dismiss your friend just because he tells them that he has a mental health issue. It's just not just the law that stops them; the bad publicity from dismissing someone for this reason will not be something that a large firm will want to face.

    That said, if his mental illness begins to seriously affect his job performance, then he may be asked to take sick leave, or in a very serious case, if he is unable to continue to perform his job, and is on sick leave for more than 3 months in a year, then he can be dismissed.

    • this is us on 21/09/2020 - 10:51
      +3

      You are not considering the hypocrisy when analysing the situation.
      Many employers are very supportive, but others are full of prejudice. They'd never say they are firing someone because of mental illness, but they will easily find a different reason (e.g., restructuring the department) and fire anyway. That's the same when they have a strict anti-bullying policy just for show, but then they bully the employee and fire for "difficulty to adapt to the work environment".
      I see no reason to disclose.

      A person with bipolar disorder can have a normal life and never develop an episode of depression or (hypo)mania once treatment is started. Even if they do have a crisis, that's usually manageable. Personality traits and disorders are sometimes harder to manage than bipolar disorder, and again is not something one would disclose: "I have some attachment issues and the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, so I don't tolerate frustration and my relationship with people can be quite full-on", or "I'm narcissistic and have to be in control".

      • Icecold5000 on 23/09/2020 - 18:15

        True. Don’t disclose as Big 4 are on a firing binge. Best thing to do is to seek professional help and work out the triggers and educate himself. A lot of firms are still encouraging working from home so if your friend knows something is coming then he could claim he has a flu symptoms coming on…

        Long term he will need to manage himself properly.

  • wandaria on 21/09/2020 - 07:37
    +1

    Wake up to your self and ask this question, if you owned a business and had to choose between employeing people with mental health problems or not, I can guarantee you that you would not choose the one with mental health problems.

    Declare it, if immediate empathy or sympathy feels good, but genuinely if that persons mental health interferes too much with job down the track you can expect the organisation to seek ways to part company. I was diagnosed with PTSD and I can tell you that I would not employ someone like myself over someone without mental health issues, why would an employer take the risk. Employers have a right to get rid of people with problems if they effect productivity and no amount of bull shit feel good words by people should change reality and that reality is the same for all of us, no one really wants to have to deal with defective people

    • Oofy Doofy on 21/09/2020 - 08:40

      Totally a case by case kind of thing. I would need ongoing evidence that their mental health is causing issues in the workplace.

      The dilemma is the hypothetical… two equal candidates, except one has a mental health problem and the other doesn't… obviously life is unfair.

  • 87percent on 21/09/2020 - 08:18
    +2

    I have a friend with bipolar, and he is a University lecturer. Under the right doctors instructions, with proper medication, you wouldn’t even know

  • [Deactivated] on 21/09/2020 - 08:52

    This is where income protection insurance is important.

    I am guessing your friend is employed for his intellect, hence having a mental health problem may impede his ability to work. Unless your friend acquired his health issue because of work, the employer is not responsible.

    This is no different to a builder breaking their arms skiing. Can't do the job, injury not from work = income protection policy.

    • 87percent on 21/09/2020 - 09:23

      i dont think its the same thing.. a builder breaking their arm is a temporary thing. A person with mental health issues, is normally a life long issue (illness?), but they manage it better during different stages

      • [Deactivated] on 21/09/2020 - 10:33
        +1

        It's not identical but it would be determined on the same principal, impact on work and cause of injury.

        Unfortunately, if the friend is a financial controller, they will find their position untenable. If they are a ground floor worker, they can probably work around it.

        Another example would be failing eyesight of a pilot. Just because it is a sorry scenario doesn't make it unfair dismissal.

    • lainey13 on 22/09/2020 - 10:15

      You must declare all diagnoses to the insurance company, and any diagnosis will either cause them to refuse cover or add a ridiculous loading to the premium.

    • Royalmarker59 on 23/09/2020 - 02:54

      I knew my friend as moody at times but never knew that he is medically and clinically diagnosed With mental health issue until he shared it with me recently

      After reading the blogs and responses I have advised my friend not to disclose unless it affects his performace or his behavior with his fellow colleagues at his work place

      No , he didn’t suffer mental issues due to work .

      He Has shared his painful past , especially abused By his parents during his childhood and relationship issues during his teenage .

  • spal on 21/09/2020 - 09:24
    +3

    Personally, I wouldn’t declare. You are only asked about pre-existing injuries and illness when you start with an employer. Unless your friend is looking for reasonable adjustments, they don’t need to declare. If there are any performance issues, and health becomes a defence, then they might be referred to an employer nominated psychologist for assessment. Health records are private matters, and can be kept private.
    Having said that if they have a good understanding manager, then they could have a chat. It is then better if the manager is aware and they can support your friend.
    BTW, mental illness is a protected attribute under the human rights legislation in Victoria, and under Fairwork legislation. Your friend will not loose their job mere for reporting their condition. Once they report it, general protections under Fairwork Act will protect against unfair dismissal.
    Also, thank you for supporting and standing up with your friend.

  • brokenglish on 21/09/2020 - 11:00

    ABSOLUTELY DO NOT DISCLOSE!
    This only gives the employer an extra reason to get rid of your friend when the opportunity comes.
    Employer will find many 'legal' ways to get rid of your friend as soon as a replacement person is in sight.
    His condition will be part of employee conversations and it will be blamed for any trivial mistakes/mishaps he makes.

    There are laws that can protect him but why would he still want to keep working at a place that wants him gone?
    And yes he can go with the 'unfair dismissal' path and get extra cash in the end but this is if he wants to cut off most of his contacts.

    I have been advising him to not to declare unless his behavior is affecting professionally .

    Don't even declare even if it's affecting him professionally unless this makes him a fraud, e.g. contract states he must declare or must not have this condition while employed, which is very unlikely.
    How long has he been working there? Hasn't he been working with this condition?
    This is not something that just pops out out of the blue. He'll be alright.

    My friend is now worried will loose job if employer finds out about his mental health issues .

    Employer will not know unless he tells them himself.
    Why does he feel the urge to disclose this? It absolutely won't help him.

    When I was young dumb & broke, I didn't even know I was actually helping the other side (unfortunately).

  • bigroo on 21/09/2020 - 11:27

    quite a few employers are pretty open to mental illness these days and sometimes will get help for their employee from disability employment services

  • Halo375 on 21/09/2020 - 14:31
    +1

    I would only disclose that information if it was absolutely necessary to do so. Company would likely be understanding but a lot of managers are poorly trained to understand mental health issues and how often they can be properly managed.

  • brad1-8tsi on 21/09/2020 - 14:51
    +2

    If it isn't affecting his performance I'd say nothing.

    I would make use of their employee assistance plan (the free catch-all mental health and lifestyle advice program).

    I'd also make sure that I get medical certificates for days off.

    You are not obliged to tell your employer if you have medical issues unless it will affect safety or performance. Even then you don't have to be specific but your employer can insist you see their nominated doctor if they think you are taking advantage of the personal leave provisions.

    I'm in the public sector and they are generally supportive if you have medical issues including mental health issues. The big corporates are vocal about supporting staff but I'm not sure if this translates into actions.

    About 7 years ago I had some huge medical issues that required extensive time off (3 months in a 12 month period). It was obvious I was sick and a particular manager wanted to know detail. I sought advice from the union and the legitimate answer is "Are you a health professional qualified to assist in my recovery? No? Then there's no point telling you the precise nature of the problem."

    Is he actually reading the company notices because we get mental health support shoved down our throat 2-3 times a week. I'm sure big corporates would be similar

  • bobbified on 21/09/2020 - 14:51

    There is no obligation for "your friend" to declare his condition to his employer so why give them something extra they could potentially use against you him?

  • Royalmarker59 on 23/09/2020 - 03:00
    +1

    Thank you all for your comments And sharing your experiences .
    It was very valuable to advise my friend . He is already under care of a private psychiatrist and appears to be well taken care of .

  • [Deactivated] on 15/07/2021 - 09:52

    Do whatever to get the job and show your value before declaring any of your shortfalls. If it would affect the work/client/output quite adversely then reconsider even taking up that job.

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