Dangers of Disclosure

Despite my own better advice (written of in April 2010) I came clean with my employer about my condition, with an emphasis on PTSD. Disclosed in writing, not connected to any drama, just as part of my daily report of productivity. Handed it in via email, as usual, and went home at end of shift. The very next day I got a call from the Human Resources guy. He said that they are concerned that the job is stressing me out, that I should just take the night off, "if that's what you want to do." I told him "I'm fine, some days are harder than others but I'm fine to go in to work, my only concern is that we're low on files to audit, and that would look bad on my productivity report if I did not audit any files." He said "well now we're concerned for your health, and you did have that incident with a coworker a few months back, we have to think about the staff's safety." (The incident was me melting into a puddle of tears and telling the coworker that she was out of line. No safety issues..., wtf?) He asked me again if I wouldn't just like to just stay home, rest. I said that I was fine, totally ready to work the night's shift. He didn't take yes for an answer. After his fourth time of "suggesting" I stay home from work, I relented and said FINE, I'll stay home if that is what you want me to do. I don't want to, but since you aren't hearing anything else, I will stay home. His answer was " if that's what you want...."

HR officers are manipulators for their companies, not your helpful agent. He committed two violations of the EEOC and ADA in his actions: first, coersion of an employee - second, discrimination based on the assumption that someone with PTSD would be violent in the future.

Four days later, which was my next usual scheduled shift, I received by courier -hand delivered to my home- a package with a letter that said per my request I had been granted a 12 weeks unpaid leave due to my disclosure that I have PTSD/DDNOS. And a requirement that I return enclosed leave papers with doctor's certification within 15 days or my leave could be denied.

I never asked for a leave. I did not say any such thing in my written disclosure nor verbally on the phone. I only caved in to one night off due to pressure from the HR guy and the realization that they were not likely to allow me in the building if I did show up for work for my shift due to his emphasis on "staff safety." How this translates into a full blown request for 12 weeks unpaid leave is beyond my comprehension. The letter was written by the law office my employer uses for all their legal issues. What it has done for me is lock me out of applying for unemployment, and forcing me to produce papers to get a leave so they can prove by that submission that I asked for a leave.

It gets worse, more complicated and convoluted. Moral of the story JUST DON'T DISCLOSE!