I've name changed for this. I'm a newish but fairly regular poster (post penis beaker but pre CFNs)
My (female) DP used to self harm; hasn't for years but has some scarring on one of her arms. The scars look 'weathered' and are clearly old and faded; to be clear there are no scabs or open wounds etc, these are scars so old they have freckles on them.
My partner works in a field where a short-sleeved uniform is required, and has done so for many years. In spite of this she has never experienced any negative attention or comments about her scars.
However, a fairly new and senior member of staff has recently made various (and written) comments about her mental fitness to carry out her job. DP lives with anxiety, but this is not debilitative and is well-managed, and her mental health does not impact on her ability to do a high-pressure job.
My DP sees her scars as proof she survived a very traumatic episode in her life which is far in the past, but is aware this senior staff member is clearly judging her mental fitness on the scars, rather than her current performance. No concerns have been raised about DP'S work, btw, but senior staff member has implied that DP is mentally unwell and actively self harming despite a lack of evidence.
DP is now pursuing this through HR with the support of her union. But this evening she is very sad and angry about what she sees as discrimination and, well, injustice.
AIBU to ask you about how you react when you see historic self-injury scarring and if you feel senior staff member is justified in maligning DP's current mental health through the existence of these scars? Is this discrimination?
Many thanks.