Employer about to find out I have PTSD and Bipolar II

[Anonymous]

I have a psychiatric evaluation for my job later today. I was assaulted at work and had a hard time getting over it, so HR requested an eval. I won't have access to the results unless my employer agrees to release them - and they haven't responded to my request to release the report.

Will it be a big deal if I have PTSD and Bipolar II? I have never claimed having a disability, but will I be marked as someone with a disability now? I am sure this will be seen in my report. There was a specific pre-eval questionnaire that was specifically about PTSD.

I don't work with high security items, but I do work with chemicals and surgical utensils that could harm me. I think they want to make sure I'm not a danger to myself of others, and I'm not, but I do have PTSD and Bipolar II.

Any suggestions for me?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a psychiatric evaluation for my job later today. I was assaulted at work and had a hard time getting over it, so HR requested an eval. I won't have access to the results unless my employer agrees to release them - and they haven't responded to my request to release the report.

Will it be a big deal if I have PTSD and Bipolar II? I have never claimed having a disability, but will I be marked as someone with a disability now? I am sure this will be seen in my report. There was a specific pre-eval questionnaire that was specifically about PTSD.

I don't work with high security items, but I do work with chemicals and surgical utensils that could harm me. I think they want to make sure I'm not a danger to myself of others, and I'm not, but I do have PTSD and Bipolar II.

Any suggestions for me?

How is this legal?

Are you being treated? What do your physicians say about your condition? Maybe they could write a letter saying that you are successfully managing your illnesses and you are ok to work?

[Anonymous]

I have a feeling you will be fine. And if they give you a difficult time, it's a sign to move on. I was also assaulted at work so get what you're going through. My employer was nothing but kind and supportive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have a psychiatric evaluation for my job later today. I was assaulted at work and had a hard time getting over it, so HR requested an eval. I won't have access to the results unless my employer agrees to release them - and they haven't responded to my request to release the report.

Will it be a big deal if I have PTSD and Bipolar II? I have never claimed having a disability, but will I be marked as someone with a disability now? I am sure this will be seen in my report. There was a specific pre-eval questionnaire that was specifically about PTSD.

I don't work with high security items, but I do work with chemicals and surgical utensils that could harm me. I think they want to make sure I'm not a danger to myself of others, and I'm not, but I do have PTSD and Bipolar II.

Any suggestions for me?

How is this legal?

Are you being treated? What do your physicians say about your condition? Maybe they could write a letter saying that you are successfully managing your illnesses and you are ok to work?

I'm pretty stable. The assault did trigger flashbacks and other issues with my PTSD, but I'm otherwise okay. I've had these conditions for years and years and always been a good employee. I'm worried about the upcoming evaluation, though. A few coworkers knew I had Bipolar II because they asked me last year how I could be so productive - I was in hypomania at the time.

It's different having a trusted coworker know something and having HR have a full report on my mental health. I'm sure it's legal, and it worries me.

[Anonymous]

This is a long term employer? And you were assaulted at this job?

First, I am so sorry.

Being marked as disabled isn’t a bad thing. If they have confirmation, they can’t fire you for it, like they could if they didn’t know but thought you behaved erratically (or whatever the reason for termination). If they do want to remove you from work because you are disabled, it will open the door for an excellent severance agreement conversation, especially considering you were assaulted at work.

Be brave, OP.

[Anonymous]

Seems awfully intrusive for your employer to demand a psychiatric evaluation. None of my business, and please don't feel you need to respond, but I don't get why they feel they can demand that. I'd be talking to an employment lawyer right around now.

[Anonymous]

Is the evaluation for workers comp, a security clearance or getting accommodations at work? Otherwise, I'm not sure thatvI understand why they would be asking for it.

[Anonymous]

Did you post before about a workplace confrontation and Jeff deleted it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the evaluation for workers comp, a security clearance or getting accommodations at work? Otherwise, I'm not sure thatvI understand why they would be asking for it.

Yeah, OP, why are they doing this "evaluation"? Because this is the DMV I am guessing it's sec clearance or something? But if you have a sec clearance they would already have known about the bipolar, right? I have it and had to disclose it and they spoke to my psychiatrist. It has never been an issue though, given my long history of compliance with treatment.

Why do you want access to the evaluation? I have both ptsd and bipolar and I feel like I pretty much know what a psych eval would say.

[Anonymous]

I could be completely wrong but I think the way it typically works is you have to release the results to them not vice versa. I also wonder if it is possible to limit the scope of the evaluation to narrow specific issues the employer claims to be concerned about. You may want to talk to an employment lawyer. “Independent” evaluations rarely are actually independent.

[Anonymous]

Sit with an employment lawyer for an hour. Pay out of pocket.

If you ever try to sue your employer, they want this in their back pocket to argue that you're "not stable."

No friggin' way I'd sit down for a psyche with my employer.

Is this for a clearance? Even more reason to get an attorney that specializes in clearances. They could use the results to yank your clearance and you'd be out of a job.

Lawyer, stat.

[Anonymous]

Meet with a lawyer before the evaluation.

[Anonymous]

OP, you can always tell them you are sick with COVID and postpone this. Talk to a lawyer.

[Anonymous]

My evaluation is in 15 minutes.

It's being done because I slit my wrist at work the week after I was assaulted. It wasn't a bad cut. I didn't need medical attention. It is all healed now.

I have never had a confrontation with a coworker. I internalize everything.

My husband refuses to pay for a lawyer.

I was a great employee before the assault. People always told me I was amazing. I just want to go back to work and be a great employee again.

[Anonymous]

You would need to describe the context in order to get a meaningful answer to the question.