Create a trusting and supportive work environment.
With approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK likely to experience a mental health condition, it is not surprising that mental health has become a primary focus in the workplace.
Conversation around mental health at work has become more common since the COVID-19 pandemic with more employers aware of the effects mental health conditions can have on their employees’ performance.
The Mental Health Foundation has found that 14.7% of employees experience a mental health problem in the workplace; this is a significant number that would completely justify round-the-clock awareness and a proactive approach to mental health at work, but for many employees having a chat with their employer about their own mental health can be a daunting prospect.
If this sounds familiar to you, keep on reading: in this article we will explore why it is important to have open and consistent communication about mental health with your employer.
For example, you may be concerned that your employer will view you differently or that it will make you look weak and unable to carry out your job effectively. While opening up about your mental health with your boss puts you in a vulnerable position, it is important that you have that conversation, so that your employer can support you.
Discrimination protection from The Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 protects employees from unfair discrimination in the workplace. Discrimination is the unjust treatment of a person based on factors such as age, sex, ethnicity, sexuality and disability.
It’s against the law for any employer to discriminate against an employee because of a disability in the following areas:
Interview arrangements
Job offers
Discipline and grievances
Dismissal and redundancy
Employers are also obliged to ensure that all necessary adjustments are made for employees with disabilities. These could include:
Adjusting working hours
Providing employees with necessary equipment
Mental health is covered within the Equality Act as long as employees disclose to their employer that their mental health condition affects them in their day to day life.
This is a legal benefit that comes from disclosing your mental health condition to your employer as they are bound by this legislation not to discriminate against you if you have communicated your condition to them.
The Equality Act 2010 covers many mental health conditions including:
Anxiety
Depression
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Affective Disorder
How your employer can support your mental health at work
Your employer has a legal obligation to do all they reasonably can to support your health, safety and wellbeing at work which is classed as “duty of care”. Having a meaningful conversation about any mental health challenges and struggles you might be facing is a key part to ensure you get the support you need.
By having this conversation with your employer, you will allow them to better understand the aspects of the job that are causing stress and allow them to carry out the necessary workplace adjustments for you.
If a particular aspect of your mental health problem disadvantages you in any area of your work, then your employer is obliged to make an adjustment for you.
A workplace adjustment may help you to perform your job to a higher level and better support your mental health. There is a wide range of adjustments employers may be able to make for employees with some of them including:
Allowing an employee to work from home
Providing an employee with the ability to work hybrid ( a mix of both in person and working from home
Changes to working hours
Changes to working environment e.g working at a different area of an office
Temporarily relocating to a different department within the role
Having more frequent one to one appraisals and reviews to discuss the job with manager
Getting signed off work temporarily to get help for mental health
While many workplace adjustments are a temporary measure and at the discretion of your employer, you can strengthen your case by having a written letter from your GP or health care professional.
As well as acknowledging your mental health condition, the letter may also state any potential workplace changes that could be advantageous to improving your mental health.
Your employer may also advise that you discuss your mental health condition with an occupational health adviser as they may be able to also advise on what work adjustments could be best made.
Trust Your Employer With Your Mental Health To Create a Supportive Environment
Talking about your mental health to your employer will help to create a supportive work environment for both you and your colleagues. With 1 in 6 workers experiencing depression, anxiety or unmanageable stress at any one time it is more than likely that you will not be the only person in your workplace suffering from a mental health disorder.
By being aware of the mental health requirements within the workforce, your employer may also explore mental health awareness training which would help to educate other employees on the importance of fostering good mental health at work.
It is also in the best interest of employers to create a supportive environment, as not only will employees feel comfortable and happy at work but this will also translate in workers being more productive and taking less time off sick.
The mental health charity Mind and the Chartered Institute for Personal Development note that the annual cost of mental-health related presenteeism is £15.1 billion or £605 per employee in the UK.
Creating a a supportive work environment that is inclusive of employees mental health needs your employer will save on the cost of staff absences and staff health, morale and performance will drastically improve.
Wrapping up
It is important to trust your employer with your mental health as it is in everyone's interest that the workplace is a fair inclusive environment that promotes good mental health.
As an employee with a diagnosed mental health condition, you are protected by the law under the Equality Act 2010 which makes your employer obliged to make necessary workplace adjustments that will best support your wellbeing.
Workplace adjustments may also help you to perform your job to a higher level and better support your mental health.
And last but not least, a fair inclusive supportive workplace environment will not only nurture positive mental health while at work but it will also boost employees' work performance and save employers money on the cost of staff absence.