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How To Deal With An Abusive Boss?

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Notsowild

MyPTSD Pro
Some of you may know my story. I come from sexual/ physical abuse as a child. Then last July I was in a horrible car accident. This brought on a whole lot of new symptoms plus more/severe panic attacks.

Then after trying to go back to work I get this new verbally abusive manager.
I was unfairly suspended in February and am now on stress leave. So now 2 months later I've been thinking about doing gradual back to work. I will discuss it with my psychiatrist tomorrow.

So the problem is nothing has changed. Same manager, my union doesn't want to deal with anything till I get back to work. Same with Human Resources . I just don't think I can handle it yet. I've still been having massive panic attacks just thinking about work.
 
I am researching that myself tonight as I am doing a self-assessment questionnaire as part of my appraisal/review process.

My only concern is:

Are employees with PTSD required to disclose their disability to their employers?
No. Employees need only disclose their disability if/when they need an accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

And This:

Can an employer ask an employee with PTSD to submit to a medical examination?
Yes, if the need for the medical examination is job-related and consistent with business necessity. Typically, employers will ask an employee with PTSD to submit to a medical examination (also called a fitness-for-duty exam) after the employee had an incident on the job that would lead the employer to believe that this employee is unable to perform the job, or to determine if the employee can safely return to work, and if any accommodations will be needed on the job (EEOC, 1992).

Special note: Pre-job offer medical examinations or inquiries are illegal under the ADA. People with PTSD (or any disability) do not have to submit to a medical exam or answer any medical questions until after they are conditionally offered a job (EEOC, 1992).
 
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I had a similar situation, off work it's stress and an abusive boss who had caused my stress in the first place. When I went off work I was clear that my boss was the cause of my illness and true to form nothing happened at all to resolve things while I was off for 8 weeks. I did decide to go back just to force their hand, before going ack I emailed my head of service and explained I felt ready to go back to work but would need her to make accommodations for me, eg change my line management while they put mediation in place to resolve things with my manager. In fairness I had to threaten legal action for personal injury before they took me seriously.

They agreed to do this but my return was still incredibly stressful and continues to be. My manager has since been suspended.

Is it ok to ask why you're looking at going back if you don't feel ready? I'd contact your workplace ahead of time and ask what protective measures they will put in place for you, they owe you a duty of care and can be liable for personal injury if they return you to the same place without sufficient supports and protections in place. It's horrible though, I feel for you.
 
Personally when faced with abusive employers I quit. Can't recommend it because of what it can do to the resume though... but short of human resources I thought it was my only option and people followed suit... eventually two companies closed.
 
Thanks@Geordie,@Suzetig and @The Albatross for all your wonderful responses.

So I had a meeting today with HR and my union. It went well. We discussed my problems with my manager. What accommodations I would want to be able to come back to work. HR is going to draw up a form for my psychiatrist to see what accommodations she would recommend . And HR will be discussing with my manager how to improve her managerial skills. Ya finally something going my way. I'll probably try to go back to work gradually in 2-3 weeks.
 
It's interesting, Having had experiences in food industry previously and vowing I wouldn't return, I end up in a service deli! I find my ptsd symptoms escalating! I am suddenly feeling like being in social settings is going downhill. I am not sure if taking medical leave would be advisable, but that's where I am leaning the last two or three days including (yesterday/today which was my Friday) I am not sure how much more of this I can tolerate. I definitely need to seek medical attention on a few fronts! (hmmm... The only issue is what do I do with my ESD while I am hospitalized? (that's an alternative...)
 
@Geordie... Sorry your feeling so bad. Is this anxiety new or just coming on stronger. Yes you should definetly see a doctor.

It's hard working with PTSD. I have been getting lots of therapy but I'm still scared about going back to work . Take care if yourself and keep us posted how things are going.
 
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