From an employer: should I hire a BD?

Within a few days he brings along another sales rep for the same company, she also wants out and wants the same deal. So far no problem except that I begin to hear rumblings of problems between him and most everyone else at the other company.

Eventually it is divulged that he is bipolar. He says he recently changed meds, is seeing a therapist regularly, etc. Other than the hyperactivity he seems normal when in my presence.

However she tells me a different story of problems at his other job and personally: drinking, compulsive spending, threatening to take someone out to fight, swearing like a sailor no matter who's in company, getting angry or hurt at the slightest suggestion, etc. She says he speaks poorly of me behind my back, complains that she is "sucking up" to me, the company phone isn't good enough, etc. She says it is only a matter of time before I will get exposed to it myself.

I don't want to be prejudical towards the guy based on hearsay, however he has admitted BD. He says he is handling it with his meds and therapy. I know many BD's don't realize when they are behaving badly, e.g. it is entirely possible that the swearing just "comes out".

However this is not the image we want for our sales force, do any of you know if I were to speak to him about it would he be able to accept it and act accordingly? Or would this just put him into a funk?

I want to be able to give the guy a chance if I can without too much exposure to my company. For example BD is covered by the ADA, can I fire him for swearing at a customer, or threatening someone, even if no physical contact took place? Or will the ADA require that I "accomodate him"? If I hire him knowing of this condition can I fire him for cause later on?

I suspect we should not hire him, but if you can shed some light I will try to help him out.

I am not sure if you should approach him in regards to his bipolar but maybe from the direction of his past performance at previous job. It doesn't need to be released that the other employee said this, but you could say you had to do a background check before placing him permenant.

As far as ADA goes I would just check into it if you decided to hire him. I don't know much about it. When I was working my employer knew about my bipolar and was lenient with me. But not that much, just letting me leave for psych and therapy appts without it counting against me. They also put me temporary leave when I had to be hospitalized. Now also I did not have bouts of cursing,or challenging people to fights. I always represented the company well and did good work for them. I was a CSR, and project manager.

You are in a hard position but I think the situation that you have him in is best for all.

Hope this helps

I have Bipolar and I have to say I understand the swearing part very well. I was just visiting my friend who is a manager of a hair clips and getting my hair cut .

I was talking about something and without realizing there was another customer I just started cussing. I usually drop the F BomB a hundred times and some days are better but I don't realize it till someone says hey.

I noticed the other customer staring at me like, " Gosh, she needs to watch her mouth." I felt so stupid because I didnt realize I had such a potty mouth but I do that alot and become loud without realizing it.

It just may happen to be in the case of your friend here. This may be like the same problem. But however, you can only do so much. People with Bipolar are said to be able to get better with meds and therapy and can hold down a job. But some of us are not that lucky. He may not be that lucky either.

I may have to go on Socail Security because of my illness. I think just temporarily until I can get my illness under control. But it sounds like your friend is going through so much right now and he's not being a very good employee to you so maybe you should talk with him face to face about everything you've heard and maybe he could explain his illness to you alittle more so you can get up close, and take a better look at the situation.

Good Luck!

I'm trying to be understanding and will work to find middle ground. Another thing I have learned from reading these BD threads is that stress oftens triggers the BD symptoms. Our company is much less stressful than the one he is in now, so maybe he will be happier working for us <sound of knuckles rapping on wood>.

Changing the subject: I had no clue the pain and suffering you guys are faced with, until now BD was the loud rude guy. Most compelling is the frustration at not being able to touch, feel, fix the problem. My wife went through breast cancer a couple years ago and we thought we were the most pitiful folks in the world. Not so, tumors can be removed, irradiated, fixed. I really feel for those of you unfortunate enough to not be able to get your disease under control. Best of luck everyone and thanks again for your comments!

Steve

I am BD myself, from what I can tell by reading your post he doesn't sound that he is not stable yet on his medication; when someone is stable, the swearing and abusinve behaviour is under control and the "talking behind someones back" is also under control.

I understand where you are coming from, but I would not hire him at the moment. REason being that he is going around the office telling people he is not happy and has recruited someone else to jump ship. That is "manic" behaviour. MEaning doing something to the extreme without thinking of the consequences. When he crashes, he will realize the mistake he is making.

My advice to you is, do not hire him. He will disrupt your company and has the potential for you to lose customers.

I hope I have been of some help to you.