Full Disclosure to Employer
I work for a classified employer. I hold a certain level security clearance. This program no longer comes by every couple of years to certify you for your clearance. Now it is based on "life events," if you have one, then you must self report this fact. I didn't know about the change until I took some training on clearances (a yearly requirement). But that doesn't matter, what I have to do now is disclose my diagnosis, my treatment, my appointment schedule, my hospitalizations, and my current state all to my employer. I hired a lawyer who was an expert in clearances to write the letter that I need to submit. I will call first, but the disclosure will be via letter. I also need to tell my direct report, boss. I am not looking forward to this, and this has been an enormous source of depression for me over the past couple of weeks. I did get a support letter from TDoc. Waiting still on the PDoc, but I need to move this forward, so I think I will submit without his letter. Big disappointment for me. He said he would help me.
So what do you think? Full disclosure to an employer being a requirement is a rarity. I wonder how this will change how they treat me. Will I have a job at the end of this week?
Replies
Muji - agreed. I stayed up last night till about 2 AM worrying about this. My leg trembles with nerves. This is putting my anxiety in overdrive. I imagine the worse all the time. But good note - the PDoc should have his letter done by tomorrow. I hope it is good. I don't seem him as much as the TDoc. Will need to adjust the letter to add his content. I am so nervous about this whole damn thing.
I would not disclose the intricate details of your Treatments, especially ECT. Its still hard to get people with Mental Health issues to understand ECT and realize its not the "barbaric torture that destroys your mind", that it was once considered, much of the time....getting "normies" to understand it is much harder. I'd have you Lawyer keep that part of the letter as vague as he can, just saying that you are under a Psychiatrist and Therapists care for your BiPolar and you are on Medication and Therapeutic Treatment programs, and that you comply with your Treatments. You may have to divulge certain information, but there is a way to do that and not give them more than you have to.
OlderCPer - I agree with you completely. I have run the whole conversation on ECT in my mind and it never comes out good. I have told them I am taking treatments and have left it at that. My boss pressured me pretty good to disclose my ECT info but I kept it at treatments.
The PDoc said he would be done tomorrow so I might have that to add to the letter (if it is good enough). I plan to do it next week. I have been wound so tight and stressed out over this so I need to have this happen whatever it is going to be. It just has to get done soon.
Thanks for the good advice. I will practice my "telling" conversation over the next several days. Will write up talking points for me to follow so there is nothing forgotten. See... I am wound too tight on this issue. Dude, this just needs to be over.
Best wishes for you, Thor. I think you’d be great at advocacy work surrounding this issue down the road. Lived experience is a powerful thing as experts take time to understand the human elements. Sending good thoughts your way.
Yes I'm sure you'll have much more peace when it's said and done. I hope the Pdoc's letter is helpful.
Hang in there, you're strong and you can weather this storm.
Update: I got the letter back from the psychologist. I plan on delivering the letter on Monday.
Stay tough. Hang in there Thor.
Thinking of you as you wait to deliver it now, Thor.
Thinking of you again today, on Monday, Thor.
UPDATE
I told my boss and gave the letter to the head of HRO! The letter has my diagnosis, background info on me, four legal cases that were favorably ruled that are exactly like me, letter of support from my shrink, and therapist.
So it is in their hands now.
That’s an impressive set of information. Hold your head high - you have done well. Keeping positive Thoughts for you.