Sometimes you just don't feel like getting out of bed and going to work? Are you bored with everything and having a hard time focusing on anything? Only you know how hard it is to keep going while struggling with these feelings. This is not just a feeling of sadness, it is a medical condition. Today, let's talk about how to balance your work with this condition, or depression as we all know it, and especially about whether you need to tell your boss or the company about it.
First, let's see what Major Depressive Disorder is.
Simply put, depression, or Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) , is a serious medical condition that affects your mood, emotions, and daily activities. It's not just a day or two of sadness. It's characterized by weeks or months of persistent sadness, hopelessness, and a loss of interest in things you used to enjoy.
This condition can have a huge impact on your daily life and your job. Imagine, you can't concentrate on work, you have trouble making decisions, you're always tired, you don't even feel like talking to other people. In fact, surveys have found that depression is the third most common problem that interferes with employees' work, after family problems and stress. So if you're feeling this way, first understand that you're not alone.
Do I need to tell my company about this?
This is the biggest question that many people have. The answer is, no. There is no law or requirement that you have to tell anyone about it. Your mental health condition is your most private information. It is entirely up to you to decide whether or not to disclose it to your employer.
Many people don't like to talk about this kind of situation in the workplace. There are a number of reasons for that.
| The reasons why many people keep this a secret | What does that mean? |
|---|---|
| Being able to get things done | Some people can do their assigned tasks without much difficulty, even though it's difficult. So, they think, "If I can do my job, why should I tell others about it?" |
| Fear of being marginalized (Discrimination) | Many people have a legitimate fear of being labeled "mentally ill," being ostracized from others in the workplace, and losing opportunities. |
| Fear of being treated differently | After talking about this, some people fear that their boss or coworkers will look at them differently, reduce the work they are given, or consider them a "weak person." |
| Bad reactions from others | Some people may not understand this and joke or gossip about it. Many people choose to remain silent because they are unwilling to face such negative reactions. |
Remember, this is your personal information. It is entirely up to you whether you share it with anyone or not.
However, there are times when the company may ask you about this.
Even though you don't have to tell them, your employer, i.e. your company, is legally allowed to ask about your health (including mental health) in certain circumstances. Now let's see what those times are.
- If you request accommodations from your employer: Imagine you are asking for flexible hours, a quieter work environment, or a change in the way you work. In such cases, the employer may ask for a letter from your doctor to verify the reason for the accommodations. However , you can talk to your doctor and get a general letter stating, "I need some accommodations for medical reasons," without directly mentioning your diagnosis.
- Once you have been hired and before you start working: If you have been hired but have not yet started working, the company may ask you health questions. But the important thing is that you cannot just ask them. You should ask the same questions of all new hires in your job category.
- For company policy purposes: Some companies collect data on the disability status of applicants to ensure that their hiring process is fair. If you are asked about this at a time like this, you can decide for yourself whether or not to answer.
- If you are unable to perform your job or are a safety risk: This is a more serious matter. If your mental or physical condition makes it impossible for you to perform your assigned duties properly, or if there is a risk to your safety or the safety of others (for example, if you are working with machinery), the employer has the right to ask for information to find out why.
You can get help even if you keep it a secret.
Even if you don't tell anyone at work, you don't have to fight this alone. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or your doctor about it. The most important thing is to get treatment. Depression is a condition that can be managed very well with treatments like medication and counseling. Your doctor will help you choose the treatment that's best for you. When you start to feel better, you'll have more energy to face challenges at work.
Take-Home Message
- There is no law or requirement that you tell your employer that you have depression. That is entirely your personal decision.
- You may have good reasons for keeping this a secret. Don't feel bad about it.
- The organization may only ask about your health status in a few limited circumstances, such as if you are requesting special accommodations from the organization.
- Even if you don't tell anyone about this, take care of your mental health. Depression is a condition that can be best controlled with treatment. So it's important to definitely see your doctor and get the right treatment for this.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න