Employee with suicidal ideations

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

Please do not send this letter.

Why not? Explain what your role is and what’s wrong with it. It’s what HR advised me to send after a similar conversation with an employee. I work in a large public sector organization with a $3B budget.

DP. You are asking that they disclose confidential health information which is always a bad idea. If you are a $3B company, you certainly have a staff that deals with medical information rather than having it go to an employee’s manager.

The employee came to me, a manager, with health information and already disclosed it. The cat is out of the bag. They're entitled to benefits & leave. The letter points the employee to those people in HR who actually deal with medical information if they feel they need to access those benefits and can help them access them. Without accessing those benefits and accommodations, they have no protection. They could keep missing work and underperforming because of their health issue. A manager would have no recourse except discipline and performance documentation. But if the employee takes leave and/or gets accommodations, they can hopefully address their health issues without that recourse.

If you were a manager and an employee came to you disclosing suicidal ideations and mental health struggles. what would your response be, PP? Please share.

In my company, our managers would have known to stop the employee from disclosing and to refer to the correct department. We provide required annual training on these issues and you’d be a serious risk of losing your job if you violated privacy. And even if the cat is out of the bag, you are requiring further disclosures.

This right here.

I'm in senior management at my company and we must go through this training each year. I know it makes me seem unsympathetic to stop an employee from disclosing medical information to me, but my hands are tied. I cannot legally disclose anything that employee tells me to HR to get them the appropriate help/services needed.

The company put this policy in place after a lawsuit about 8 or so years ago. A manager shared with her team that a fellow coworker would be out for a week due to an emergency procedure & shared what it was with everyone. When the employee returned to work, she was irate that her medical information had been disclosed.

There's a huge difference between a manager seeking help from HR and a Manger disclosing information to employees without a need to know. Unless a specific state law gives rise to a duty of confidentiality, I'm not aware of any Federal law that would prevent disclosure to HR. Moreover, most companies have policies controlling any threat of violence.

The problem is that PP is actively soliciting private medical information from her employee.

NO! Explain how I did that.
1.Employee disclosed information unsolicited.
2. Employee was given resources to access benefits and leave at their choosing. All information exchanged would be between employee and HR IF employee decided to pursue resources. Left next steps up to employee.
3. Manager did nothing else.
4. That’s it.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need.

With that sentence you actively further information. And what the PP is missing is that this all sets your employer up for a discrimination complaint if things go bad for the employee.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

Please do not send this letter.

Why not? Explain what your role is and what’s wrong with it. It’s what HR advised me to send after a similar conversation with an employee. I work in a large public sector organization with a $3B budget.

HR shared that with you because their job is to cover the company's butt.
How would you feel if you got a letter like this?
If I received this letter after confessing to my boss, i would feel like I was in trouble because it's clearly designed to document and all trust (and connection) would be lost.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

Please do not send this letter.

Why not? Explain what your role is and what’s wrong with it. It’s what HR advised me to send after a similar conversation with an employee. I work in a large public sector organization with a $3B budget.

HR shared that with you because their job is to cover the company's butt.
How would you feel if you got a letter like this?
If I received this letter after confessing to my boss, i would feel like I was in trouble because it's clearly designed to document and all trust (and connection) would be lost.

I am not actually believing that the letter came from a $3B company HR department. These are the sort of letters that are drafted by corporate lawyers if they even allow them to be sent. And they are form letters.

[Anonymous]

You absolutely need to contact HR. You may want to do it initially without disclosing the employee's identity, but they may give you good reason to tell them who it is and let them follow up with resources etc.

[Anonymous]

I would contact HR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

If, as a manager, you feel compelled to send a letter, I would edit the above to:

Dear Employee:

Earlier this week you shared some concerns with me. This letter is a follow-up to our conversation to share links to information and to resources which you may find helpful.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc., you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) regarding personal issues that may affect your work performance or well being. Here is the contact information:

If you need special accommodations in the workplace, please reach out to HR.

HR can also detail any leave options as well as share information about available benefits. Feel free to contact the Benefits & Leave Options office at 555-5555.

I hope that you find this information helpful.

Sincerely,

Mary Manager

So basically, you’d send the same letter. Got it.

Wow ! If that is your takeaway from my edited version, you are unqualified to be a manager.

[Anonymous]

My first inclination would be to fire them asap before any trouble but I am not sure it’s legally possible

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My first inclination would be to fire them asap before any trouble but I am not sure it’s legally possible

What is the matter with you. My god.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

If, as a manager, you feel compelled to send a letter, I would edit the above to:

Dear Employee:

Earlier this week you shared some concerns with me. This letter is a follow-up to our conversation to share links to information and to resources which you may find helpful.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc., you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) regarding personal issues that may affect your work performance or well being. Here is the contact information:

If you need special accommodations in the workplace, please reach out to HR.

HR can also detail any leave options as well as share information about available benefits. Feel free to contact the Benefits & Leave Options office at 555-5555.

I hope that you find this information helpful.

Sincerely,

Mary Manager

So basically, you’d send the same letter. Got it.

I am the poster who edited your letter.

Just realized that you may be a teenage manager at a fast-food restaurant or at a combo gas station convenience store.

If that was your take on my edited version, I suspect that you may just have a high school degree & are not college educated. If accurate, then you need to be much more careful with respect to written communications.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My first inclination would be to fire them asap before any trouble but I am not sure it’s legally possible

Fire them for having a possibly health condition? People ideate more than they will admit. Saying it out loud can be a release.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

If, as a manager, you feel compelled to send a letter, I would edit the above to:

Dear Employee:

Earlier this week you shared some concerns with me. This letter is a follow-up to our conversation to share links to information and to resources which you may find helpful.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc., you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) regarding personal issues that may affect your work performance or well being. Here is the contact information:

If you need special accommodations in the workplace, please reach out to HR.

HR can also detail any leave options as well as share information about available benefits. Feel free to contact the Benefits & Leave Options office at 555-5555.

I hope that you find this information helpful.

Sincerely,

Mary Manager

So basically, you’d send the same letter. Got it.

I am the poster who edited your letter.

Just realized that you may be a teenage manager at a fast-food restaurant or at a combo gas station convenience store.

If that was your take on my edited version, I suspect that you may just have a high school degree & are not college educated. If accurate, then you need to be much more careful with respect to written communications.

DP, but wow. You're a piece of work. It takes a lot of arrogance to write those last two sentences with a straight face.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

If, as a manager, you feel compelled to send a letter, I would edit the above to:

Dear Employee:

Earlier this week you shared some concerns with me. This letter is a follow-up to our conversation to share links to information and to resources which you may find helpful.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc., you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) regarding personal issues that may affect your work performance or well being. Here is the contact information:

If you need special accommodations in the workplace, please reach out to HR.

HR can also detail any leave options as well as share information about available benefits. Feel free to contact the Benefits & Leave Options office at 555-5555.

I hope that you find this information helpful.

Sincerely,

Mary Manager

So basically, you’d send the same letter. Got it.

I am the poster who edited your letter.

Just realized that you may be a teenage manager at a fast-food restaurant or at a combo gas station convenience store.

If that was your take on my edited version, I suspect that you may just have a high school degree & are not college educated. If accurate, then you need to be much more careful with respect to written communications.

Those two letters were essentially the same. And certainly there was little to no difference legally. Signed a lawyer with fancy degrees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

If, as a manager, you feel compelled to send a letter, I would edit the above to:

Dear Employee:

Earlier this week you shared some concerns with me. This letter is a follow-up to our conversation to share links to information and to resources which you may find helpful.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc., you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) regarding personal issues that may affect your work performance or well being. Here is the contact information:

If you need special accommodations in the workplace, please reach out to HR.

HR can also detail any leave options as well as share information about available benefits. Feel free to contact the Benefits & Leave Options office at 555-5555.

I hope that you find this information helpful.

Sincerely,

Mary Manager

So basically, you’d send the same letter. Got it.

I am the poster who edited your letter.

Just realized that you may be a teenage manager at a fast-food restaurant or at a combo gas station convenience store.

If that was your take on my edited version, I suspect that you may just have a high school degree & are not college educated. If accurate, then you need to be much more careful with respect to written communications.

Those two letters were essentially the same. And certainly there was little to no difference legally. Signed a lawyer with fancy degrees.

Thank you.
—Molly Manager who also has fancy degrees and despite all those degrees still can’t see the difference between the first and edited letters.

[Anonymous]

I see a significant difference between the two letters. The first sounds like it was written as directions for a procedure, the second one’s tone shows concern for the person and an interest in the person’s wellbeing. Won’t mention how many degrees I have, think this is EQ, not a degree dependent.

[Anonymous]

https://afsp.org/story/if-someone-tells-you-they-re-thinking-about-suicide-a-realconvo-guide-from-afsp