Workplace absenteeism

[white knight]

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

Topic: cheap recovery idea, camping- beyondblue

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

[Ulysses]

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.

[white knight]

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

[blondguy]

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

[white knight]

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

[Ulysses]

Thanks 🙂

[Ulysses]

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.

[white knight]

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

[Ulysses]

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

[Ulysses]

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