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[hiddendragon]

Given that we are human beings, would people really deny others tenure based on health conditions?  Like if they are sick or have a spouse who is sick?  I'd hate to think that tenure should only go to the most privileged, elite of the best health in our world.  If one has done everything required in terms of scholarly publication, would one's colleague still deny one tenure because of bad luck in the division of health?

[offthemarket]

I'm sure it does, in some cases.  Though it will never be in the stated reasons.

[hiddendragon]

This may be part of the reason why I have become more and more disillusioned about being in academia.  Do I really want to be a member of people who demonstrate little compassion as human beings, and who are driven by nothing else but cranking articles and books at the speed of light, and who measure the worth of others based upon this system?  I'm having second thoughts and am ambivalent about getting out before I turned completely into one of these zombies myself.

I'm sure it does, in some cases.  Though it will never be in the stated reasons.

[verbena]

This may be part of the reason why I have become more and more disillusioned about being in academia.  Do I really want to be a member of people who demonstrate little compassion as human beings, and who are driven by nothing else but cranking articles and books at the speed of light, and who measure the worth of others based upon this system?  I'm having second thoughts and am ambivalent about getting out before I turned completely into one of these zombies myself.

I'm sure it does, in some cases.  Though it will never be in the stated reasons.

Yes, you're probably right. Postal carriers, seamstresses, and endocrinologists tend to be much more compassionate than people who write books.

[hegemony]

I don't think the non-academic world is any more flexible or compassionate about health issues.  It partly depends on the individual authorities, and partly on institutional policy, and both of these vary from company to company and university to university.  But academia certainly does not have a monopoly on viewing people as employees first and human beings second.  

That said, academia can be a better place than many to have health problems.  Schedules can often be quite flexible, especially with some advance notice; a lot of work can be done at home; and summers off are definitely better than working 48 or 50 weeks per year.

[lolar2]

An occupational therapist who works at a university told me that academia is better than many other jobs as far as disability/ health accommodations, but it certainly is far from perfect.

[the_honey_badger]

I worked for 15 years in corporate and small business accounting environments. In terms of personnel policies?  Academic environments beat the others hands down even on the worst day. As someone said up-thread, the basic flexibility of hours, portability of most work and the semester breaks allow for a lot more potential to arrange personal business.

Now, demands for hyper-productivity?  That's a whole different subject.

[msparticularity]

I worked for 15 years in corporate and small business accounting environments. In terms of personnel policies?  Academic environments beat the others hands down even on the worst day. As someone said up-thread, the basic flexibility of hours, portability of most work and the semester breaks allow for a lot more potential to arrange personal business.

Now, demands for hyper-productivity?  That's a whole different subject.

Yes, this is my experience also. I worked a corporate job for 15 years, and then taught in public schools for five. Aside from specified vacations, there is no flexibility at all in the hours and the pacing in those fields. Also, though, you're basically getting evaluated based upon "seat time" and whether you appear to be productive. Now I have much greater flexibility, and I'm being assessed upon my actual production.

[wharf_rat]

There is no doubt that the flexibility of work schedules is "accepting" of health issues, but I think the question is, are our colleagues accepting of those health issues.  While academia is perceived as a liberal and accepting world, I don't think it is any different than any other career when it comes to health issues.  It is just as judgmental if not more so.

Seriously, how many of your colleagues do you know have that have shared a health issue? 
Right?  Whether it diabetes, or bipolar, or a learning disability.  The only time something is shared is if the issue starts to affect work or personality in some sense.

If academia was so accepting, I don't think people would hide when they take insulin or be afraid to turn down another committee assignment because the additional stress could trigger a bipolar response, etc.

The characteristics of the work environment might be more accepting of illness, but I don't think the people are any different, and perhaps are more judgmental because of the perfectism that runs in academics.

[systeme_d_]

Wharf_rat, I understand through your other posts that you are worried about your own situation, but I think you might be overgeneralizing, and perhaps catastrophizing a bit.

Fully three-quarters of my department have told me about their health issues - both physical and mental.  In one case, this is because a health issue regularly impacts his/her work, and s/he asked for regular assistance/intervention/guidance.  I think most were forthcoming because my partner is chronically ill, and my colleagues see my struggle to balance work and home responsibilities.

All I am saying is that one should not paint all of academia with such a broad brush.  I wish you only the best.

[msparticularity]

I agree that while people don't necessarily share their health issues--including their mental health issues--immediately, that these things do tend to emerge as we get to know one another over time. Some health problems do immediately become well-known, when people have to have cancer treatments or cardiac bypass. The chronic stuff tends to emerge more slowly, but it does as people say "I'm just having more pain right now," or "I'm a little more down than usual this time."

I definitely agree, though, that there are some issues that have gained wider acceptance: depression and/or anxiety are more widely discussed and understood than schizophrenia or (sometimes) bipolar disorder, for example. This leads me to believe, Wharfrat, that at least for the time being discussing your issues in terms of your depression may be easier on you and more easily understood by your chair. As you and s/he become better acquainted, though, it may become easier and safer to share more.

[wharf_rat]

Wharf_rat, I understand through your other posts that you are worried about your own situation, but I think you might be overgeneralizing, and perhaps catastrophizing a bit.

Fully three-quarters of my department have told me about their health issues - both physical and mental.  In one case, this is because a health issue regularly impacts his/her work, and s/he asked for regular assistance/intervention/guidance.  I think most were forthcoming because my partner is chronically ill, and my colleagues see my struggle to balance work and home responsibilities.

All I am saying is that one should not paint all of academia with such a broad brush.  I wish you only the best.

I think it is very variable depending on the type of school/university (SLAC vs. R1 vs. other), the type of department, part of the country, the interaction of the department, gender, age, level (asst vs. assoc vs full), and condition.

It is not a black-white issue. 

In your example, people probably felt more open with you because you are experiencing issues with your partner's chronic illness.  However, if you were not experiencing what you are, do you think so many would be forthcoming with you?  You know their struggles, because they feel you can relate and understand.

I have heard negative comments at faculty meetings regarding all types of conditions ranging from obesity to mental health issues, to smoking related disorders.  None were accepting, all were insulting.  And some have been downright mean.   
When push comes to shove, would these people be understanding for a colleague...I don't know.  What comes out of there mouths, is not.

[hmprescott63]

Wharf_rat may be overgeneralizing, but the concerns are not entirely unfounded given that s/he does not have tenure.  If you haven't already done so, I suggest you and others who are concerned about this look into your institution's policies regarding sick leave, family leave, etc.