topic Workplace absenteeism in Depression

Workplace absenteeism

white knight — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 03:28:58 GMT

Depression is one of the major contributors to mounting sick days. Its as if, we will get better, then we wont take so much time off. But its short lived.

The ramifications are big. Your boss increases his frustration whether you know it or not, it will be there. As 80% of people have little empathy for mental illness, you might regret exposing your reasons for time off. The whole saga gets worse over time. What are your options?

Drop full time work- consider casual or part time. In some situations your boss might agree with this concept. A friend of mine had a boss that actually preferred a 4 hour shift 11am to 3pm at a call centre to cover full time workers lunch break..

If you can secure a couple of part time jobs you will have more variety and sometimes more total income but less security.

Another tactic to rise in the morning is baby steps. When I worked in my own business I had to rise at 3am then drive 1-3 hours to my workplace. When first waking up to the alarm if I thought about the drain of the next 3 hours I'd stay in bed. My method was to focus just in getting into the shower. Hot water stimulates you, helps you wake up. Remember breakfast.

Confidentiality - your workmates will judge you negatively. You owe them nothing. I always go on a "need to know" basis. "Just personal problems" as a reply to gossipers covers a lot of possibles. Let them guess. Trust one colleague and rumours will flow.

Holidays- make them count. Being idle or working at another job is not taking a break. Google

Topic: holidays- beyondblue

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Following many sick days off you might have to take a punt and disclose to your boss your predicament which means telling him/her about your illness amd how you have battled with it. This happened to my friend that worked in retail. His travel time was one hour by train and a 15 minute bus. His boss had a wife with depression and sympathized. He arranged a transfer to a store closer to home. It was the answer.

Taking sick days isnt ideal. Discuss medication and sleep patterns with your doctor. Restructure your life, consider all options and limit your guilty feelings.

And try one step at a time starting with a long shower.

Tony WK

Workplace absenteeism

Ulysses — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 04:47:54 GMT

Wow! This is just what I needed. I am going for a second interview into a job that will be Monday to Friday and lots travelling. I was asking myself “can I do this?” Yes I can. Just put one foot in front of the other and hope for the best.

Workplace absenteeism

white knight — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 05:15:36 GMT

Great mindset Ulysses

Be positive, do your best and rebound if you re unsuccessful.

Google

Topic: 30 minutes can change your life- beyondblue

Good luck with that interview

Tony WK

Workplace absenteeism

blondguy — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 07:49:03 GMT

Hello Tony WK

What a inspirational and realistic thread!

I have found that most directors/managers are there to make a profit first....My anxiety/depression always seemed to be last on their list of priorities......that said.....there have been some that had a really good care factor.

Great to have Beyond Blue (and yourself) for providing community awareness on this frustrating topic to people that have anxiety/depression in the workplace.

My Best

Paul

Workplace absenteeism

white knight — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 11:00:19 GMT

Hi Paul

You are right, some bosses are great, most are too cold and unreasonable when it comes to mental illness.

It leaves many "out in the cold"

Tony WK

Workplace absenteeism

Ulysses — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 11:38:34 GMT

Thanks 🙂

Workplace absenteeism

Ulysses — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 13:27:34 GMT

Yep agreed and disgusted and disillusioned with my career board today. Not only have I been banned from my career because of depression, for over a year, I now have to release all of my medical history and be urine and hair drug and alcohol tested and have a health assessment. I feel like screaming “I got depressed! I didn’t hurt anyone but myself!!!!!” Why why why??! And when when when?!?! Will we be treated with dignity and respect instead of suspicion and disapproval?! I am not allowed to have a hair cut until testing is done. Enough is enough. If I had diabetes they wouldn’t do this.

Workplace absenteeism

white knight — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 23:21:18 GMT

Hi Ullysses

As much as I agree with you, I'm 61yo and I know it doesn't serve us to get angry and try to fight for injustices.

Briefly, in 1987 as a council ranger I was told to give preferential treatment to a politician. After many years in law enforcement like security, investigations, prison warder etc, I had never been corrupted. My honour was everything. However, I fought it, I had a panic attack (initially told a heart attack)was on radio stations, the Herald Sun newspaper, and I fought and fought. In this modern day its honourable to fight but it gets you nowhere.

We have to "play the game". It's like Newstart applicants or disability applicants we get here often complaining about the system. They have a case, they are justified in their feelings...does it help- no!! If you treat it as a game and play it, you are better off.

Considering 80% of people don't understand mental illness and are only thinking of the dollar don't expect compassion from management. Once this is accepted you will survive in the cruel human world it is.

Google Topic: they just wont understand why?- beyondblue.

Tony WK

Workplace absenteeism

Ulysses — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 00:37:17 GMT

Yep. I was overtired and lost it. Big day yesterday. Feel like a tool today

Workplace absenteeism

Ulysses — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 00:52:55 GMT

Ps if I get frustrated like that does it mean I’ll grt frustrated if I go back to work? Praying I won’t

Workplace absenteeism

gloria10 — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 08:30:05 GMT

That's really helpful White Knight 🙂 As you know I've had some issues with this but I am slowly getting better.

For me I find a full time job overwhelming as I have to manage everything on my own - work, housework, bills, running around with errands. I am finding allowing meditation time to be so helpful and also focusing on the moment. I am also planning fun activities in the new year to break away from work such as art or exercise.

Therapy is definitely helpful too, the only tricky part is finding an afterhours service but I am aware that there are online practioners now too, so could be worth looking into.

Good advice!

Workplace absenteeism

white knight — Wed, 13 Dec 2017 12:37:02 GMT

Hi Ulysses,

Frustrated at work? Go to the toilet. 10 minutes should fix it. seriously.

Gloria, glad I'm of help.

Google

Topic: he helped me for 25 years, Maharaji- beyondblue

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Tony WK

Workplace absenteeism

VoxAmino — Fri, 26 Jan 2018 10:39:48 GMT

I tried to go with the casual work approach but now I am stuck in a job whose idea of 'casual' is 40+ hours a week, 8+ hours a day haha. I am screening my next few potential jobs to see if they actually mean casual when they say casual because the one I am at now will just drop your hours into the ground if you request time off. I had to request time off for 2 days a week for uni so they only gave me one shift a week because it was 'unfair' to other workers that I got time off. Definitely, some amazing and helpful advice though I need to try and get out of bed a little earlier for a shower to see if it helps me get through this until I can find a new job.

Workplace absenteeism

white knight — Sat, 03 Feb 2018 03:57:09 GMT

Hi vox

You have some great values. Just you responding in the manner you do, to consider all alternatives put to you is a great asset.

You will go places.

Tony WK