PhD student asks if they should disclose disability amid lab overwork
A PhD researcher in North America questions whether to reveal a fluctuating disability while facing excessive weekly hours and pressure from their principal investigator.
Student faces long hours and burnout
The student started a doctoral program several months ago at a university in North America. They report working between 50 and 60 hours per week, sometimes extending to 12 or 16 hours daily. Their principal investigator has expressed disappointment regarding their work ethic despite the researcher taking on new tasks with tight deadlines.
Health impacts worsen without rest
The researcher states that resting reduces symptom flare-ups affecting both physical and mental capacity. They have not disclosed their health status to the principal investigator who manages the laboratory projects. Lab mates also report being burnt out from similar environments where breaks are difficult to take.
Previous roles offered better conditions
During a master's degree, the student worked in other labs with different supervisors without facing these specific issues. Colleagues in previous jobs were able to take equivalent time off after working overtime. The current environment contrasts sharply with those earlier experiences where workload management was more balanced.
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