Worried About Job Security While Managing Depression? Seeking Advice on Potential Termination Risks

Hi,

I work in a public sector bank in a supervisory position for the past four years. I have been struggling with depression for the last ten years. Recently, I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed due to an unexpected diagnosis of a chronic illness. I had to take a leave without pay for at least six months due to health reasons during my employment. I am considering taking a leave citing depression as the reason. Could this lead to termination? Can they question my performance and terminate me based on this? Any suggestions?

Thanks

Leave Without Pay in Public Sector Banks

Since you work in a public sector bank, your employers appear to be generous in extending Leave Without Pay (LWP) for six months. In some private employment, you might have been removed by now. As far as leave on account of depression is concerned, you need to check the rules for medical leave.

Considering the Impact of Depression

Your depression has been ongoing for the last decade. What is the cure? How long will it continue? If you are working without pay, it will obviously impact your family life as well. Due to strain or strife in family life, the severity of the depression could increase. Have you considered this?

By reading your post, one might feel that you are glorifying your depression or basking in it. Rather than asking for a remedy, your concern seems to be about how to get an extension of your leave, termination, etc. There is no mention of what the shape of your career would be ten years from now. If this spell of depression continues and, God forbid, you become unemployed, you could lose your self-dependence and rely on others. Those who depend on others are often considered a burden or liability. Have you thought of this social condition in our country?

Taking Action Against Depression

Therefore, the first thing you need to do is stop focusing on your depression and get to work; however, continue with the medication. People live with chronic diseases or even with disabilities. Why do they not get depressed? If you look at the life of military or paramilitary personnel, it is as challenging as hell. Yet, the smile on their face does not fade away because of adversity!

For self-motivation, I recommend reading "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey. As you start building those habits, you will pull yourself out of depression. The book has helped millions in improving their self-confidence, and you will be no exception.

All the best!

Dinesh Divekar

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Some of the commentators think that I am glorifying my illness. For them, I would suggest they should know the background and history before making such comments. No one can understand the pain and struggle of a depression-ridden person unless they themselves go through it. I have been seeking help for it only for the past 10 years, and before that, my teenage years went just clueless trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Imagine the pain and frustration one goes through when one doesn't even know what is happening to them. I am from a rural part of the country where seeking psychiatric help is considered taboo. Please understand, once you are a depression patient, even if you feel better at times, it is highly likely that you are more prone to it compared to others during adverse events in your life.

Some of the commentators think I have been on leave for a straight 6 months. You have misunderstood it. I just wanted to let you know that I had been on leave without pay on and off for many health issues for the past 4 years. Lastly, my question still remains unanswered. I wanted to know what the termination policy of an organization, particularly a PSU, is regarding leave taken on grounds of mental health. For those who are worried about my well-being, I really appreciate it. I am in touch with my doctor and getting help as required, but as I said, it's a constant fight. Some days it's easy, other days just unbearable. I just want to know if I can take some time off on the basis of mental health grounds. Sorry for my poor English. I hope you understood my query.

Thank you

Dear Friend,

It is better to check your bank's leave rules for more clarity. You can inquire at the Bank Union Personnel/Officers Union for assistance. We cannot predict the future course of action from your employers. If it is a genuine case, I am sure the bank will permit you to take necessary medical treatment. Your English was good; nothing wrong.

Thank you.

Leave Without Pay and Job Exit Options

Normally, during your service period, you are allowed 365 days of Leave Without Pay (LWP). However, your increments and other seniority benefits are adjusted accordingly. There are two options for leaving the job:

1. Apply for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS). Once accepted, it will ensure your terminal dues, including pension, etc.
2. Resignation - it will be accepted with at least 90 days' notice but may impact your terminal dues, such as pension and gratuity.

Please note that in the banking industry, mentioning mental disability (on record) could have severe adverse consequences. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid referencing it and refrain from seeking medical claims from the bank. Additionally, please review your bank's exit rules as well.

Regards
Contact: [Phone Number Removed For Privacy-Reasons]

Mental health stigma in Indian companies

Based on my experience, it is considered taboo in Indian companies to discuss mental health. Requesting medical leave due to mental health reasons is often looked down upon. Many fail to recognize that individuals with mental health issues deserve the same respect and opportunities as those with physical illnesses.

Advice on disclosing mental health reasons for leave

Regarding your inquiry, I suggest stating a different physical reason for your leave, such as physiotherapy, rather than explicitly mentioning mental health. However, if you believe your management is understanding and non-judgmental, you may choose to disclose the actual reason.

I have personal experience dealing with bipolar disorder, so I can relate to your situation. If you ever need someone to talk to, feel free to reach out to me. Best of luck, my friend.

Unawareness in Society Regarding Mental Health

There is so much unawareness in our society regarding mental health. For example, the contents of Sudhakarrao's post: "You are declaring yourself mentally unsound without any expertise in mental health."

Dear Sudhakar, the original post does not say that the person is declaring himself mentally unsound. He has mentioned a mental illness and he is in touch with his doctor on a regular basis. I appreciate the intention of your post, but depression has various reasons. Handling stress on a daily basis is very different from coping with depression. Yes, thinking positively helps, but let's not conclude that all depression is caused by a failure to deal with life's circumstances. A person can experience depression for other reasons like hereditary factors and mental disorders too.

Can a person get well who has diabetes by thinking positively? No. Similarly, in certain depression cases, one takes longer, has to take medication, and might need some time off from work.

Dear members,

The original post was limited to a query on leave due to prolonged illness and the possibility of termination arising from it. Not many members of this forum are capable of replying to this query as we do not know the service rules of the public sector bank. If the originator of the query is employed in the private sector, the rules regarding leave or termination are well defined.

This is an HR forum, and we cannot just focus on the query alone. When an employee approaches HR for advice, HR is expected to go a little beyond and explain how the illness can impact the employee's career. This is why I felt the originator of the query was overly focused on their illness. It should be noted that the members of this forum are not paid consultants and cannot simply affirm the queries asked by the originator.

Regarding diseases, any illness, whether mental or physical, should be applicable to all types of people. I exclude occupational diseases that arise from employment in factories, hotels, BPOs, etc.

As the originator of the query rejected my questions about their career rather than considering them, I conducted a Google search to check if depression is limited to a specific economic class. Although I did not find a conclusive result, I came across an article on Wikipedia stating that economically developed countries have more cases of depression than developing countries.

This was precisely my point. Why don't those dealing with depression conduct social studies on this disease? It is worth considering whether individuals from the following economic classes suffer from depression:

a) Construction workers

b) Agricultural laborers in rural India

c) Workers in the unorganized sector

Please note that the above categories are not just oppressed due to long working hours or underpayment; they also face abuse from their managers or supervisors. In their personal lives, they struggle for basic necessities like water. These individuals do not simply experience depression because they do not have the luxury to do so. They are so burdened with domestic responsibilities that thoughts of depression hardly occur to them.

While there is less awareness about mental illnesses compared to physical ailments in India, the members who shared their opinions in this thread did so out of genuine concern. More than certified medical practitioners, patients can do a lot on their own. Members questioned whether the originator of the thread had taken those steps. Often, while focusing on immediate issues, individuals fail to recognize the future risks. These HR forums aim to provide a comprehensive view and highlight these risks. Juniors or members in need have benefited from the advice of seniors. Whether to heed the advice is up to the individual. Divergence of views is inherent in these forums, and those who pose queries must accept this diversity. Subscribing solely to one's views is unlikely to happen.

Thanks,

Dinesh Divekar