Scripts you can use with your boss “Lately, I've been experiencing stress and burnout and would like to request time off to manage my mental health.” “I've been struggling lately with personal stress. I know I've been distracted and unfocused at work as a result.
Budget more time than you think you'll need so that the conversation isn't cut short. Be clear about the impact your mental health challenges are having at work. If the cause is work-related, share that also. As much as possible, come with suggestions for how your manager or HR can help you.
You don't have to go into personal details, just focus on how your mental health problem can affect your job. Who you want to share it with. For example, you might tell the human resources (HR) department about your diagnosis, but you don't have to tell your supervisor or colleagues.
It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you simply because you have a mental health condition. This includes firing you, rejecting you for a job or promotion, or forcing you to take leave.
An employee can be fairly dismissed on grounds of capability if they have serious mental health issues making it impossible for them to do their job, or to do their job properly.
While you don't have to talk about topics that feel too personal, you can always assure your manager that you have resources in place to support you outside of work (if this is true). That way, they understand that it's not their job to be your counselor or therapist.
You cannot be required to disclose a mental health condition unless you are requesting a job accommodation. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) mandates that employers must provide reasonable accommodations to employees who disclose physical and mental health conditions.
Crying at work once in a while is not abnormal. But if you regularly find yourself weepy at the office more often than not, then it could be wise to seek out the support of a therapist. Involve the appropriate parties if your tears are the result of bullying or other mistreatment.
Being open and honest can be the best course of action
As a best practice, you want to ensure you are educated on PTSD and how it affects you by being prepared to talk about your specific triggers in order to answer any questions an employer may have.
Instead, offer specifics like, “I'm feeling overwhelmed by the volume of projects on my plate,” or “I'm feeling really anxious about meeting all of these deadlines, but they've never bothered me before.” Helping your boss see what's changed for you is important.
These may include mental health problems, mental disorder, mental health condition and psychiatric disability. These different terms may refer to the extent of their condition and whether it has been formally diagnosed.
Encourage the employee to go for a walk or take a break and offer to come along. After the outburst is over, acknowledge the difficulty of these times. Ask what you as the manager can do to help. Ask how the team can help.
If you're thinking about going back to work after an extended period off due to mental illness or a break down, speak to a professional about how to best manage your back to work process. Online therapy can be a great way to maintain regular sessions without disrupting your work schedule or day to day life.
Can you dismiss an employee with mental health problems? In short, yes. Your employee's mental health should be treated the same as physical health. The Employment Right Act 1996 lists the fair reasons for dismissal.
When you are overwhelmed by the amount of work you have, telling your boss how you feel can be a great first step toward making your workload more manageable. Communicating with your boss honestly and expressing that you need support can increase your confidence when approaching your work in the future.
Scripts you can use with your boss
“Lately, I've been experiencing stress and burnout and would like to request time off to manage my mental health.” “I've been struggling lately with personal stress. I know I've been distracted and unfocused at work as a result.
You aren't obligated to disclose your struggles with depression in an interview. In fact, I would recommend against it. Instead, focus on the job, why you are a good fit for the position and your value to the organization.
The answer is no, according to workplace experts. If you see any shred of hope that your organization is trying to figure out a way to change, then it's a wise move to stay with your employer and work on managing your chronic stress, said Jennifer Moss, author of the forthcoming book, The Burnout Epidemic.