Should you tell your boss that you have problems with your mental health?
The first rule of work is ‘Never tell anyone anything they don’t need to know’ Work is a jungle where only the fittest survive, take nothing for granted and keep an eye on your back at all times.
You don’t have to tell anyone confidential medical information about yourself and the state of your mental health is confidential medical information. You do not have to incriminate yourself and much as we would like to believe we are living in a touchy feely paradise, where social justice warriors keep evil at bay, this is far from the material reality of everyday existence in the workplace. Admitting to mental health problems makes you vulnerable and if you are having a bad time, this may not be the best time to share the details.
As long as you do your job, don’t require unreasonable time off work and are managing to keep up a front whilst at work, what is going on behind the scenes, is no one’s business but yours. All of this changes, if you need extra time off work or have a meltdown at work. Your employer has a right to know what is going on, after all they are paying you for your time, and you are selling them your labour. If the product isn’t up to scratch, they are entitled to know out what is going on.
Should Meghan Windsor have shared her story? From a personal perspective, maybe not. It gave the media another chance to have a go at her – for hijacking attention from K&W’s Pakistan tour and being a self indulgent princess (yes Sky News – Apologise now for Harridan Angela Levin‘s interview last night).
‘Mixed Race’ is a favourite racist description. Harridan Catherine Newman as well Sky News and Channel 4 frequently describe Meghan, Harry, their marriage and their baby as ‘mixed race’. Not in the same league as lynching black people or throwing Christians overboard on migrant boats but it is hurtful and unpleasant and the media should know better.
Poor mental health, like poor physical health are problems for everyone, regardless of wealth and status. Stigmatising people because of their circumstances, is wrong. It does help when celebrities ‘come out‘. I took part in Stephen Fry’s documentary ‘The secret Life of the Manic Depression’. That documentary did bring about a sea change in attitudes. Nonetheless we are still a long way from being able to talk freely about how we feel, and what we can do about it.
Well done Meghan, I think you did the right thing. It is OK not to feel OK. It may not be OK to spend the rest of your life talking about it, but lets follow your story as you work to improve your own life and the lives of those around you.