[AusNOG] Work experience in networking/telecoms/DCs? Getting my foot in the door?

[Schulz, Jason]

I employed someone as a programmer about a year after they had attempted suicide, and it was disclosed at the interview. It was apparent in the interview that he was talented, and the question was could we manage his situation.



The only accommodation I to make for him as an employee (and one that I was happy to make) was for some workload management while he moved between meds (he'd need a quiet week every now and then). Because of his experience, it turned out he was far more stable (and productive) than a number of my other programmers.



He's since gone onto much bigger and better things, and in retrospect I'm glad I could give him the professional stability he needed while he continued rebuilding his personal life.



YMMV.



Regards,



Jason.



-----Original Message-----
From: AusNOG [mailto:ausnog-bounces at lists.ausnog.net] On Behalf Of Peter Lawler
Sent: Monday, 22 December 2014 5:57 AM
To: Skeeve Stevens
Cc: ausnog at ausnog.net
Subject: Re: [AusNOG] Work experience in networking/telecoms/DCs? Getting my foot in the door?



On 22/12/14 03:05, Skeeve Stevens wrote:

> No one knows you yet and no boss goes looking for troubled employees

> unless it is part of a special programme...

>



I'm loathed to continue this thread, however I'll take the line that the mental health of network operators is probably kinda more on topic than other threads that have gone on for longer. I hope the mods can give me some leeway. Those who aren't interested, please feel free to bin this ASAP.



If spend some time looking around, you'll find the quoted statement is also demonstrably untrue. A good employer places mental health front and centre as much as ensuring their office space is wheelchair accessible or they have decent paid parental and/or carers services &c. As mental health is still such a taboo topic, particularly for those who suffer from it, it might not be raised directly during the hiring process but it'll be pointed out that services and understanding are available and this will give the candidate, if they feel comfortable, the opportunity to have a brief chat about such. I'm certainly not meaning to state that such employers will take anyone on, more that they are capable of comprehending that our industry appears to have a greater number of employees who suffer from mental health problems than others (the jury is still out on whether it's the lifestyle, the type of work, the workplace setups, &c, or a combination of all) and will give employees help when asked for/needed.



I attended a Bluehacker event at LCA[1] 2013. Whilst I'm not at liberty to specifically pass on what was said by others inside the discussion group, I am at liberty to say I discussed my suicide attempt about two weeks previous to the meeting (which ended in hospitalisation and a medical directive that upon release I must continue my attendance at LCA, believed to be the first time ever someone was required to attend LCA for health reasons). A number of employers approached me the Bluehackers event and stated that I should not think that my depression would be a barrier if I were to ever consider applying for work with them and that they mention mental health support during interview. These are the employers to look out for, and whilst they are like gold dust at least they are not the closed minded narrow viewed fools who'd have people in wheelchairs in 'special schools'/'sheltered workshops' and sack women because they have a kid.



tl;dr It's people and attitudes like you've amplified above, Skeeve, what aggravate mental distress. Go get an education.



</rant>



Pete.



http://lists.linux.org.au/pipermail/lca-announce/2013-January/000203.html



PS I'd like to take the opportunity to thank the NOGgers I know who've kept in touch since Jan 2013 for no reason apart from being human. You guys!!!

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