Concern About Support At Work

[Indi33]

I was diagnosed with PTSD in 2011, during my divorce after struggling with domestic abuse for 14 years. In the past five years, I've become stronger and more capable, able to hold jobs longer and communicate more clearly.

Recently I went through a time period where my symptoms were creating issues with my memory. My panic attacks were coming daily and often lasting more than 24 hours. I worked this way at my job. I decided instead after reading extensively about the work place and PTSD, I'd talk to HR about what I was experiencing since my production numbers at work were lacking. I didn't want to be fired over something that I can not control.

I discussed it with my supervisor, discussed it with HR, and will soon talk to my doctor. It's this portion that bothers me. There was a particular incident with a supervisor who we touch into for customer support. He was aggressive and rude, and to the point where the whole phone call became frustrating and the person lacked any want to help me or my customer I was working with. So much so I asked to speak to his supervisor. He froze, and began to listen to me, but only after a 11.5 minute conversation where he didn't really care about what I was saying. When I bought it to my supervisor's attention I was told:

'You're really sensitive. You need to learn to grow a thicker skin. I know you've been thought a lot, but you really need to toughen up.'

I went back to work thinking about what she said. I'm aware of my condition, what happens with it, how I have to live with it 24 hours a day. I think the fact I went from 100% non functioning to 95% functioning is a testament to my resolve of the last five years.

I felt dejected. I went to her for help, and I felt as if she was poopooing me and then downplayed my condition because she saw me in public for a company meeting. What she didn't realize is it took me two weeks to talk myself into going to that meeting. I don't like crowds, and I only went because my favourite co-worker was going to be there for moral support.

She doesn't know the finite details of my situation, but then again, she doesn't need to. What she needed to know is why my performance was lacking. I wanted them to know in a real honest way that I was struggling. That I was pushing myself as humanly possible to preform well so that I could support myself. I don't like to draw attention to myself or my situation. I try to persevere and move forward, but like everyone else that suffers from PTSD, we have our down days and our up days.

I feel like she took it a little too far. Her tone wasn't supportive, it was demoralizing. I lost a lot of respect for her as a supervisor. I'm a great worker, I push myself hard. My customers love me.

I wanted others opinions who understand this condition opinion.

Thanks-
Indi

 

[NoWhereKnowWhere]

You will always find some people who are just kinda...c*nts.

I am not 100% about the work placed laws and discrimination laws in the US but I've been unfairly pushed out of a work place because of my PTSD when I was entitled to so much support an sick pay ect.

I would advise to first speak to the said supervisor or write her an email if you think you can't face talking face to face (this is always good for your records anyway). Say what you feel and what you said above. (Btw keep a track of every time you talk to someone about your health/everytime someone is a dick or brings it up all of it! this might just be the evidence you need to kept your job some day or sue)

Second if possible join a union. They are sooo helpfull.

If things are not improving or her reply isn't helpful or you can't face talking with her, go above her head to her manager/supervisor.

 

[Indi33]

Thank you, Nowhere. The fortunate thing about my position is all our phone calls are recorded, so it's on tape, but it doesn't excuse her behavior. If there is one thing my work is pretty anal about is documenting all our times, meetings, and etc. She's not a good manager, we've all had issues with her in varying ways. She bullied my co-worker and wasn't written up or fired.

The frustrating thing is I'm one of their highest marked Agents, because of PTSD episodes from the last 45 days my job performance dropped .45 of a percent and 1 point based off my attendance on a day I got confused and left early thinking they green lighted me to go home early. I was never told I'd be reprimanded for it. I was just told "Oh it happens to everyone!" Then it was put onto my record on the schedule as 'unpaid time off' which is pretty common for us. So if I was unpaid for that time, and it was adjusted for that time, how was it my performance was effected?

So I will start doing as you suggest. Keep a running log of issues. They gave me seven days to file paperwork with them from my doctor. My doctor didn't have appointments open for 35 days. Frankly my job and it's management tend to be a major clustf*ck when it comes to their policies. We had a girl fired because she went into labour 24 hours before her schedule maternity leave.

Thanks for your support :)
-Indi