Depression affecting job performance -what if anything to tell boss?

[HEHurst]

I've struggled with pretty severe depression for a decade now. Prior to about a year ago, I was able to keep it from affecting my job performance much. But for several reasons, in the last six to twelve months, it has gotten worse and really been affecting my job performance. I've dug myself into a deep hole, falling way behind on most of my projects, missing deadlines and letting budgets fall apart. I've really ticked off a couple clients and we've lost work that I feel 100% responsible for losing. I miss a little time at work because of this, but the main problem is that I still go to work but am often so dysfunctional/unproductive there.

No one at work knows about my depression, though they're definitely noticing my job performance now. Before this, I (sorry to toot my own horn a bit) was consistently rated one of our department's top performers. Now I feel like I'm on the verge of getting canned or demoted if this keeps up.

I'm about to start some new treatment and make some other changes that I'm pretty confident will improve my depression and therefore my working habits, though I'm not sure how quickly I'll progress. Here's my dilemma:

Do I say anything to my boss, other managers, clients, etc. about my depression, in hopes of explaining my recent poor job performance?

I interact a lot with clients and manage projects, and I've seen how my clients' perceptions of me have lowered. I like most of them personally and am tempted to apologize for my performance and explain what has (partly) caused it. But mostly I feel like I should keep my mouth shut to my clients. It's probably not professional to involve them with this and it's not their role to listen to me on this. So I don't think I'll try to explain anything to clients, though I'd be open to your thoughts on this.

But I'm debating whether to tell my boss about my struggles with depression, and how I think this has been a big reason for my recent poor job performance. Maybe it will helpful if he understands the (main) reason for my poor job performance. I also want to tell him that I realize this is a big problem and that I'm taking steps to get better. I think now he's just wondering what the heck is going on with me, why have I slipped so much, and he may not have hope of me making any changes. But I also know that once I open my mouth, his perception of me will forever change. There's a chance I will be stigmatized as someone who is no longer reliable, who's looking to make excuses, who should be treated with kid gloves. I don't think I need major time off of work or anything like that; mainly I'm hoping for some patience and understanding about recent past performance and a hopeful recovery.

So do I:
1. Say nothing, hope that if I overcome my depression, my job performance will recover, and rely on hopefully good future performance to overcome any current negative perceptions of me?
2. Tell my boss about my depression. Say I know I've been performing really poorly recently, and I'm taking steps to get my depression treated more effectively.
3. Be more vague but still bring up the issue- attribute my poor performance to some sort of personal issues or medical condition and say I'm making steps to improve this, but not go into details about the depression and treatment.

Thanks for any advice. Anyone been in a situation like this, on either end? If you are a manager, how would you respond to an employee in this situation? I know the law says you're supposed to be very understanding and not discriminate, but realistically how would this affect your view of the employee and their performance?

Thanks

 

[TenPenny]

Reading this post, I'd swear you were my brother, if he was still alive.

If I were your boss, I'd want to know, and I'd simply keep tabs on you to help monitor your progress, and to ensure that the workload is handled, by you or others.

But I think my reaction is based more on personal experience (see para 1), and may not be typical.

 

[automationbabe]

Talk to HR first. That's what they are there for. They will help you work it out with your boss and help you and your boss handle this situation. And don't forget your doctor notes that explain the medication and your condition.

 

[SomptingGuy]

Screw HR.

My marrage tanked in parallel with my Dad's cancer death. That was a bad year.

HR deal with numbers. Managers deal with their people.

- Steve

 

[moltenmetal]

If I were your boss, I would want to know. If you were a star performer and are no longer, and all I (might) have to do to get my star performer back is to wait a bit while you get your meds or counselling or lifestyle etc. sorted out, I'd be very likely to be patient and to make accomodations for you during the sorting-out period.

If I didn't know, and suspected that you'd just lost focus or didn't care any more, I'd be more likely to lay you off the next go-round.

Not to mention, many places have policies about dealing with people who have medical issues- protections put in place for just such an eventuality. They don't kick in UNLESS you tell management what's going on.

Do you involve HR? Dunno, since I use the presence of an HR department as an indicator of whether or not the business is too large to treat its employees as human beings. Helping employees with this sort of thing is what HR departments are SUPPOSED to be there for, but my experience with HR departments in past has been poor to say the least. I know I'm not the only one here with that kind of experience.

Working with clinical depression is surely no picnic, but trying to FIND a new job while clinically depressed would be tougher still. What's important here is that you take care of yourself. It sounds like the job itself is a source of joy and pride to you, so it's worth hanging onto.

Sincere best wishes to you. I hope it works out for the best.

 

[ykee]

Look at it from this point of view, your manager currently has someone who was a performer, and now is a non-performer. That is a problem. Your boss has no knowledge of why your performance has dropped off. Without any knowledge, he might decide that the problem would be best handled by handing you a pink slip.

If you tell your boss, you are also telling him that you are aware that there is a problem, and that you are working to a solution, that you will be able to return to being a performer.

Good luck, clinical depression is a medical issue, and I think it is in your best interest to let at least your boss know about it.

 

[TheTick]

Are you under a doctor's care? You should be before you talk to your boss about this. Otherwise, you don't have much to back yourself up if you need any special considerations that management may be reluctant to give.

Depression is real. The Pollyannas that think all you need is a positive attitude really need to get acquainted with the underside of a fast-moving bus.

In autumn, I try to get out for a walk every day to staave off seasonal depression. Believe it or not, some people have tried to use that to make me look bad. "How come he has time for a stroll?" Never mind that it clears my head and improves my afternoon work.

 

[kelowna]

If it is affecting your performance I would get first a doctor's note and then discuss it with your boss. I think that is the best way forward.

At the moment if you are falling behind you could be fired for underperforming. If there is a medical condition behind it, not only you would be protected against being fired but also explain the situation to management.

In my case, I work with several people and I would like to know if something like that would be happening. However, I think if it was me and I told my boss, I am sure he would be much less simpathetic. Hard to tell.

 

[dvd]

If you are in the US it is probably important to check out your rights under the "Americans with Disabilities Act."

http://www.ada.gov/pcatoolkit/chap1toolkit.htm

 

[ctopher]

You wrote that no one knows you are depressed. Usually it shows...somebody knows.

Chris
SolidWorks 09 SP4.1
ctopher's home
SolidWorks Legion

 

[MortenA]

Listen to The Tick - If you havnt already - then its important to seek professional help! Thats what we engineers always says when it comes to technical questions - so why should it be different here?

Good luck - Morten

 

[HEHurst]

Thank you very much for your advice and thoughts everyone. I appreciated every single response.
I am getting medical care and counseling, so I have a lengthy file of background information should anyone in my company need that.

I think I am going to go to my boss rather than HR. I personally get along quite well with my boss, and though you're never totally sure how someone would react, I feel fairly confident he will be understanding so I'm willing to take the chance and open up to him about this. HR seems quite nice, but the only work-related interaction I've had with them in years at this company is related to people starting employment and ending employment. I maybe will also talk to them later though. I know we have some sort of Employee Assistance Program, though I'm not sure if that would offer me anything beyond what I'm already getting from a doctor and therapist.

Thanks again for your thoughts.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Most of those EAPs are set up so HR do _not_ get involved, other than getting anonymous summary reports and a bill. They don't know, and don't want to know, who is taking advantage of what service, but they do want you to use it.

You typically get a toll-free number. Call it.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[kepharda]

I tend to avoid HR in most important decisions.

I would talk to my boss about depression. Maybe there are ways he can change your workload that will make life better for you temporarily and keep the company in the good graces of your clients. But if he doesn't have all the info he cannot help. Also, don't assume that people at your office don't know anything. They might not guess depression, but surely they have noticed something is different.

If your boss is a decent person, he will deal with HR on any issues that need to be handled. I am sure there are HR people that are kind and decent, I just haven't met them yet.

this message has been approved for citizen to elect kepharda 2008

 

[jmw]

Always a very difficult call to make any sensible recomendations but I suspect that if you don't have an issue with your boss, you probably should discuss it with him first off.
If you know your performance has been dropping off badly, and you think your boss will have noticed it, chances are he has noticed and said and done nothing.
That could be because he values you and the work he knows you can do and hopes you will get it back together again. he may not want to pry, he may not really want to know about personal problems, but he may want to have a reason he can understand and address.
If you think he is the sort of boss who would notice, but he has said anything; you have to conclude that he has been covering for you and/or turning a blind eye, and thus it would be best if he hears it from you and not from HR.

If you are concious that your work has deteriorated, and perhaps you are feeling pretty guilty about it, then is this a negative feed-back affecting your work even more?
Is it possible that by speaking with your boss you will be treated sympathetically and get rid of a further negative you really don't need? If nothing else he may be able to help by taking some of the pressures off you for a while to help you get back in the groove.
After all, from what you have said, this is a problem you have managed for a good while and even with his problem you have been a valued employee so you have to believe that you can get it back together but maybe with a little help and understanding.

Is there an advice group you can turn to who can give you good and informed advice?


JMW

http://www.ViscoAnalyser.com

 

[ornerynorsk]

Good luck to you Hurst. There are more of us out here in that boat than one would realize. You'd be surprised at how understanding some bosses can be, never mind my "worst boss" post in overcoming obstacles forum earlier today. Only you have a personal read on your boss, so it would be impossible for one of us to tell you yes or no. There is always a risk with exposing the soft side, as they say, but sometimes it is just what is needed. It takes a damn strong person to expose the personal side to others.

 

[Snork]

I went through a round of depression, after loosing several family members, that affected my work - I lost track of projects, couldn't concentrate, etc - and since I never trusted HR, and didn't trust my boss I didn't say anything. I figured I'd get it fixed (with medical help) and get back to work. And I was making progress. The problem was I had the bad timing to have this happen in the fall of 2008 just before the economy went south so when the company announced a layoff of about 15% of the staff I got to participate. This gave me a set back with which I'm still dealing.

If there is a lesson here, it's that not saying anything is not the way to go. You have my best wishes.

 

[TurbineGen]

The Tick has great advice. Get medical attention, then tell your boss. Have some documentation on hand. However, I would recommend being vague and not bother with the specifics unless your boss asks for them. Schedule a time with your boss to meet in private and explain to him that you know your performance has been dropping. Tell him it's due to depression and you are already taking steps to correct it. Don't make excuses, just assure him you are making a dedicated effort to solving the issue. Also, it would be wise to not let him be your mentor on this either.

I had a similar problem back in 2006-2007, but not with depression. I have severe ADHD and my work got boring as heck. Thus my performance dropped like a stone. I went to a psychiatrist and got prescribed medication. Then I scheduled a meeting with my boss and explained that I knew my performance had dropped, that I had a problem, and showed him the steps I was taking to fix it. Taking a walk (or more like a run) up the 13 stories of stairs twice a day helped me quite a bit and even became a competition between us on our floor. Last time I checked, my 53 second record still stands



------------------------------------------------------------------------
If it is broken, fix it. If it isn't broken, I'll soon fix that.

 

[Latexman]

Based on the impact this could have on your life, I would not waste much time at your family doctor. Just enough time for a referral to the best specialist in the area. Second reason for doing this? They may be an expert witness for you in a future EEOC complaint/trial.

Good luck,
Latexman

 

[INBCPE]

I had an employee (project manager) quit fall 2008. His wife had passed away 7 years ago, and his daughter (only child) had just moved away to college, he got soaked when the stock market went in the toilet that fall, and his elderly neighbor had cancer and he would take her for treatment, plus 2008 was a stressful year at work for him. We were busy. I saw the signs and tried to talk to him. I tried to package the conversations around the idea that I didn't want him to get burned out, because had been there, etc. He was older and too proud to admit anything, but his work tanked. Cost me some money too. He quit. Now all the people in the marketplace ask me about where he went and what happened. I keep the truth secret, but he basically fell off the face of the earth.

As an owner, I'd want to know (but I'd have figured it out by now). I think if you go to an employer and tell them you have a condition you want treated, the company is kind of bound to keep your position open for you if you have to take time off.

My advice is to get to a doc to lay out your options as far as treatment is concerned, ask his opinion on discussing it with your boss (he'll probably be familiar with the laws in your area), and then proceed with telling your boss or not telling your boss.