I accepted a job in a specialized field relating to customs brokerage back in October 2005 from which I was abruptly terminated at the beginning of April 2006. Now in my 2nd job in Houston I heard my boss on the phone with the former employer, who I asked this current employer not to contact. [This job was through an employment agency so I think the contract between agency and employer was for 90 days]. Current employer is experiencing massive labor issues, does not have a strong background in this business, and I feel that a contrivance is being worked against me. We are all stretched very thin in my department and they need to lay on add'tl help. At the same time I have been diagnosed as bipolar since 1978 and am presently having issues getting treatment as former employer has tried to torpedo my COBRA coverage. I'm finally straight with COBRA but still desperately need psychiatric help and am afraid of deteriorating into a debility from work. Should I inform my employers of this condition, which would almost certainly result in my termination, and pursue a discrimination against them under ADD?

You are may steps ahead of yourself. And the law is ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act. If there is no reason ot tell them, then don't. ADA does not require your employer to tolerate sub-par performance even if it is caused by your disability.

By all means seek treatment. I don't see anything to gain at this point by telling your employer. I certainly though, wouldn't assume they will fire you and you will have to sue them.

There is nothing illegal about calling your former employer. Even if you requested they not.

Ok, so I've done the needful and gone to a new shrink, am dealing with bipolar proactively and can already point to a substantial improvement in work performance. I feel that I should be honest and disclose this on my HMO enrollment info but am hesitant to stigmatise myself, not able to trust HR person to keep her mouth shut about this confidential information. I think that by putting this info out there I will preclude any possible management opportunity in this company since my employers are not distinguished by either a high level of sensitivity to, or awareness of, psychiatric issues. Should I leave this info blank and pay out of pocket for the shrink (I have the means to do so)?

First of all, what information you disclose on the enrollment form is specifically protected by law. It would be illegal for your HR person, or anyone else with access, to use that information to discriminate against you. I think you are jumping to conclusions that your employer is willingly going to violate the law here. If you don't want to have it covered under your insurance that is your right, but there are laws to protect this sort of information.

If you honestly feel your employer is so disreputable as to knowingly violate numerous laws so openly, why do you still work there?

I too have been diagnosed with BP. I was working for my company for four years and had a top secret security clearance. I was on medication management and was trying to find a suitable medication for my disorder. BTW I am recieving a 50% service connected disability from the VA. I0 get free treatment, medication and a monthly stipend from the VA. I informed my employer last year in writing that I have a disability, BP. I did reveal the disorder only due to my medication and hospitalization issues. I worked a midshift and had issues sleeping during the day and staying awake at night (due to meds).

Two days after giving my letter revealing my disability, I recieved my first (and supposedly last) written warning. A year later, I still worked on mids and had been verbally counciled at least three times. I gave a doctors note to go to days for a while, reasonable accomidation, and was fired four days later.

I found out two months after that I was a workplace violence suspect, I had threatened ten people, whome many were my friends. So suddenly I have a large collection of firearm and I am out for blood. Realistically, I could care less about the people I worked with and would have NO desire to hurt them. Now future jobs are in jeopardy. I just plan on going to school to get my degree, start a home business and forget about my last job. I have bigger things to worry about that a job full of liars!

Are you asking a question? If so, it is better to start your own thread rather than tack onto someone else's. It can make it confusing to keep the answers and stories distinct.