work and mental health.

I was at work this morning, I work in a supermarket. We have a new manager and he is turning the whole place upside down. Yes its a business and profits do come first. The thing is change is something most people struggle with let alone having other problems to deal with emotionally. Anyways the bakery manager came in and was sitting down in his normal clothes so I asked why he wasn't working today? He replied he had been suspended for leaving work an hour early.

My stomach chugged when I heard this. I know at times when I feel I just have to "get away" when I feel "Panic" or "anxiety" real bad coming on me I have left 10mins early. Always clocked out so as not to "steal" time from them. But now I'm worried they will be watching me, me, me and will fire me.

I haven't got the guts to sit down and talk to personnel about my mental health. They know I was in detox 4yrs ago because the time off I had to take off, but they don't know about any of my other Mental health problems. I'm thinking maybe I should sit and talk to them?? I dont want "special" previledges I do manage to hold down my job, though working in a busy supermarket is SOOOOOOOOOOO not the right job for me LOL! but as others he proberbly understand when the panic and fears hit all rationality goes out the window and I have to just get home.

I imagine they'll "comment" first to you about leaving early if they have a problem with it and then you can mention you sometimes need to leave 10-15 minutes early (never longer :-) to "get away" from the stress of the job (blame it on the job, never on "you;" the job shouldn't be a problem or THEY are doing something wrong :-) I imagine, unless you're a manager, they're probably not going to say much or fire you as they probably need good line workers and have a lot invested in your training and ability/experience. They're probably just making a statement with the bakery boss guy and everyone knows one boss is as good as another and it doesn't take much "training" to be such a boss :-) Interesting that he came in even though he's suspended? Probably part of the suspension so you all can see him and "tremble"/get the "message". Keep any discussion focused on the job and its stresses and their management (and how it's causing new stress for everybody) and away from any discussion of "you" -- you haven't changed, the management has and you find that management more stressful :-)

Hello MOUSE.
I agree somewhat with Perna, that you should talk to someone regarding that there may be times when you need to get off a few minutes early. Usually this practice is okay as long as they know ahead that there is a possibility you need to leave early, and have someone that will be in your place when you leave. I hope everything works out for you MOUSE and you can get calmed down from all of ths upheaval at work. Take care Soidhonia

Perna, you are one smart guy/gal! You talk like my t, lol. Your advice is right on the money! It's about the job and its stresses and not about 'you'. Excellent post!

Thanks perna, yuh I feel better today about the whole work situtaion. Unfortunately the managementally is "If you can't stand the heat, get out the kitchen" so I can't say its the job. I think if pushed I will sit down with HR explain about ptsd and how sometimes I get triggered and I may need to take 5 or 10mins break time.

Unfortunately low paid jobs have a bad employee care point of view. If they don't like you they can make your life hell. Put you in a job that they know you don't want and just sit and wait until you give your notice in.

I like what I do now as its stock taking and keeps me out the back away from the customers most of the time. Maybe in this case for me right now, honesty being the best policy maybe the way forward????

I'm not back to work till sunday morning so I will give this some thought.

Hey Mouse. I work full-time, and need to be at work at 8:30 am. Sometimes I have a difficult time being on-time because my meds make it really hard to get up in the morning, or my anxiety/depression is worse in the morning... Also my stomach problems are always worse at that time of the day, and that's a bad cycle with the anxiety. Well, my last supervisor really didn't care if I was a little late... she would always say, "As long as you're doing what you are supposed to do, I don't care if you come in a little late!!" But then I got a new supervisor a few weeks ago, and I like her, but she's more of a stickler for coming in on time. After being late a couple of times, I finally sat down with her and let her know some of the stuff that was going on with me. She was really good about it and even suggested some ways to alter my schedule such as starting my day at 8:45, then leaving 15 min. later than I normally do. I explained to her that I would rather try hard to get to work on time, and didn't like to alter stuff based on my mental health. I've been doing pretty good lately.

So maybe you should speak to your your personnel about this... It always works out for me. This is not the first time I've had to tell about mental health issues. I also had to speak with a couple of my professors about it, and I've had to speak with past supervisors. It always worked out well. Good luck.

Thanks Pinksoil.

Actually, and this is the auditor in me, because of HIPAA you don't have to tell them anything. But what I would do is say that you'd like to adjust your schedule to deal with something personal and you don't want it to interfere with your work.

Taking a proactive position is always best. It shows you care about the job and yourself at the same time. Does your work have flexible schedules?

Mouse, can you find a job doing "stock" in a library or something? I was always soothed in the stacks putting away books and our libraries pay pretty decent. Ours is a local government job so has good benefits but because they're just little local branches, don't have a million people working in any one so not so many people looking over your shoulder/in your business.

http://www.londonlibraries.org/servlets/contactform

I guess I was lucky, have been with my company for 19 years, and when I had probs with depression, panic disorder and anxiety they paid for the full cost of me being off work and my meds. I am now on disability (maybe its different in canada) Although I dont get alot of money its enough to survive. Hope all works out for you. It can be a really long road.