Do I have to tell my employer I have depression?

[Luna99]

Hi,

I've not had an official diagnosis of depression, but am currently having counselling and have been referred for CBT.  The doctor did talk about medication, but I am not on any at the moment.

My depression or whatever it may be, does not usually affect my work but my colleagues do notice that i have been struggling a bit recently.  I know in the past when people have kept things from our boss, she has not been too pleased about it.  However, I feel that she may judge me on this information.

I asked the doctor if agreeing to be referred for CBT would affect my job in anyway and she assured me that it would not. 

Any advice on this would be gratefully received,

Thanks x

[mamalou]

Hi,

I haven't worked for several years now ( can't cope with it !) but I was interested in your post.

You are certainly under no obligation to tell your boss about your depression, especially if it isn't affecting your work. Perhaps you can go with the flow and see how things pan out ? Take one day at a time. Don't forget, you can change your mind at any time and then tell your boss if you feel it's appropriate.

When I left my job with severe depression, I had been signed off for 13 months by by doctor so things had to be shared with my workplace.

It's such a tough one. So much depends on your work, your boss and their attitude.

Hang in there - it sounds like you are doing a lot of positive things.  :)

M x

[Zaf]

You dont have to tell your employer you have depression, but if you are signed off I would assume your sick certificates will let the cat out of the bag.  If you have to say anything why not simply say mental exhaustion or something similar?

Z xx

[pinkcasi]

You are not obligate to tell your employer but i recently told my manager i was struggling, it was hard to do and i just sent an email saying i suffer from this this and this and im struggling at the moment i said that i wasnt' making excuses for anything as it's not effecting my work at the moment but i felt like i should let her know for both our benefits, she instantly took me aside and reassured me that it was all ok, since than i have, well only today said i dont feel able to take phone calls today and she understood and that was fine rather than me freaking out about having to talk to the public i could just quietly get on with other things.  it's up to you what you do you knwo your boss best but it might help you if they know, plus ear in mind that under the mental health act they can't discriminate against you.

[DarylR]

hi pinkcasi  thats 1 the problems in a workplace that i find hard to cope with is phone calls, it's good you tackling that problem

[travis1411]

We know all that stress on work place can cause depression, i would suggest that please dont disclose it with your employer it would be better. You can take proper dedication and therapy for your depression. Yoga, light exercise, aerobics can help you to come out of depression.