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BlueBay
Senior Contributor

mental health discrimination in the workplace

hi everyone

i have been thinking lately that Iost my job last year due to discrimination of my mental health.  I started this job in May 2021 and was on a three month trial.  In the trial period i had 3 days sick leave all with doctors and hospital certificate.  One of those sick days was that I was a close contact to covid and couldn't go to work.

 

In July just before the 3 month trial ends I was called into the owner/pharmacist's room along with the store manager.  I was told that i was not reliable and had to leave.  I broke down and said that i couldn't help it if i was unwell.  the store manager (who is a real b...) then says to me 'you really should get your mental health sorted before going to work'.  Yes they were her words.

 

I immediately left the pharmacy and broke down in my car.  The next day i was admitted to a mental health hospital after contacting my psychiatrist.

 

Now a year later I am wondering if i can make a claim, not for any financial compensation but more the fact that I want them to know how it has impacted my mental and physical health, as i have not worked since.  My self confidence has gone and I am very fearful of ever working again.

Because of losing my job we were in dire financial stress having to ask our sons to help us out.  we had to put our house on the market and downsize which has made me very guilty.

 

A lot of places and employers out there need to know that you can't just get rid of staff so quickly with no warning because of their mental health.  Thats discrimination.

but he did this within the 3 month period - so i am not sure if i have any leg to stand on to complain.

 

After a year i still have a lot of anger towards them both but more towards the store manager for her unjust comment.  After all she is on anti dep as well because she told me.  So rude and disgusting of her to make that comment.  I get to the point sometimes when i think of her that i want to scream at her and tell her how damn hard it's been for me the past year.

 

any advice would be appreciated.

25 REPLIES 25

Re: mental health discrimination in the workplace

You might be able to make a disability human rights complaint. Apparently you can contact the Australian Human Rights Commission for a chat as to whether they think you've got a leg to stand on. https://humanrights.gov.au/complaints

Re: mental health discrimination in the workplace

Thanks @Gwynn xx

Re: mental health discrimination in the workplace

I mean, if you had any of what she said in an email or letter she wrote, then you'd have a really strong case, but people are rarely so cartoon-villain obvious. Write it all out and get in contact with the Human Rights Commission to see what they say.

Re: mental health discrimination in the workplace

Wow @BlueBay, that is a very sad story. I am unsure of any legal leg to stand on, maybe check out the link that was sent to you by @Gwynn or maybe speak to legal aid? And you are absolutely right, that education is key and people should know their responsibilities around discrimination. With everything that we know about mental health, these days, it is sad to still be hearing stories like these. 

 

I hope that you can gain some confidence to explore work opportunities, without fear of discrimination, if that is what you would like to do. Have you discussed this with a mental health team? About things that you might like to explore?

I am here on the forms tonight, if you want to chat xx

 

Sunshineandsea

Re: mental health discrimination in the workplace

No nothing in writing @Gwynn 

 

I’ve emailed a local community support centre to see if they can help. 
@Sunshineandsea i was so blown away shocked and overwhelmed and emotional when it happened. I will never forget that day. Couldn’t even say goodbye to my co-workers. 

im disgusted at my treatment of both pharmacist and manager. 
i did work very well. I worked hard and was really good with customer service. 

but just because I had three sick days I got sacked!! 
im so angry at the comments about my mental health. The manager had no right to say what she did. 

im so fearful of looking for work let alone work ever again. I’m so alone I’m so angry and I don’t believe in myself anymore. Since that day last year my mental health has declined. I have no confidence. I’m rocked badly because of this treatment. 

 

Re: mental health discrimination in the workplace

Have you considered volunteering as a way to build up your confidence? I used an example of a situation from my op shop work in my last job interview and I got the position. 😊

Re: mental health discrimination in the workplace

Yes, that is very sad, and incredibly unfair. justice is certainly never dealt evenly across the board. The fact that you have lasting consequences for this breaks my heart. And you are right, no one has the right to make comment on another’s mental health state. Let alone it affect the way that person is perceived and treated. 

What do you like to do for hobbies? Maybe you could join some local community hobby groups? This may help to support that feeling of isolation that you spoke about. Of course, we are always here, but sometimes it might be helpful to have a group in the physical sense as well. And you never know, if it is something that you love, you may have the opportunity to meet some new connections, get some new skills and down the track, who knows what you might be able to achieve?

Even if you just achieve a little bit of peace, that is a win!


@BlueBay 

 

Re: mental health discrimination in the workplace

I’m even to scared to go out to volunteer. I’m very much a hime person now and only go out with family or stay local where I know. 
@Gwynn 

the thought of socialising is very frightening. 

Re: mental health discrimination in the workplace

@Sunshineandsea @I’m too scared to join groups. I enjoy crochet and sewing and mosaic but I can’t see myself going to a new place alone. No way. It’s too scary and my anxiety would be high. 

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