Telling your boss could allow you to change your schedule or workload to a more sustainable level, helping you manage your issue better from time-to-time or on an ongoing basis. Being upfront could discourage gossip and encourage more people to seek out help for their own problems.
Remember, you're not legally required to tell your employer about your mental health condition, unless there's a risk to yourself or others.
Talking about your mental health doesn't need to be scary or over-complicated, you can start the conversation by simply saying, “I need to get something off my chest” or “I need to talk, do you have time to listen?” Just remember to tell your boss only what is necessary.
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 don't need to share with your boss or HR that you get panic attacks. However, if you choose to disclose your panic disorder, remember that you get to decide how much you want to share.
The Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA) protects employees from discrimination based on a disability—including mental health conditions like depression or anxiety.
Your rights and the law
Some people worry that when they apply for a job, they will be discriminated against if they admit that they have, or have had, mental or emotional health problems. But it's illegal for employers to ask health or health-related questions before making a job offer.
As a rule it is best to receive treatment from a mental health professional. Typically, these include a psychiatrist or psychologist. You may need to see a specialist to help prove that you can't work due to anxiety and depression.
Reasonable accommodations for anxiety can include remote work, a support animal, a rest area, a modified break schedule, a flexible schedule, and shifts in schedule. The type of anxiety you have, your limitations, and your employer's resources will determine what accommodation is appropriate.
Talking to your boss about burnout can benefit your well-being. It is a way to open the door to constructive conversations that can help get you back on track and feel better about work. With support, this may improve your job gratification and overall performance.
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.
One of the things that can hold people back from taking time off to care for their mental health is the perception that stress, feeling run down, sadness or anxiety aren't good enough reasons to take time off. It's best to quickly dismiss that idea.
Anxiety, stress, or depression leave from work may require multiple days off, which is where FMLA may come in handy. This may be enough time to seek more intensive treatment if needed or time to relax and seek support. However, if you are thinking “can I get a sick note for anxiety”, the answer is yes.
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.
You can call in sick for any mental health reason, diagnosed or not, including: anxiety disorders.
When should someone take time off work for mental health? Someone should take a mental health leave from work when they feel overwhelmed due to stress and feel that they can't function properly. The time off can be used to take a breather and focus on self-care, while getting away from the source of the stress.
You have the right to disclose at any time during your employment. You also have the right not to disclose. The Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA)1 states that employers cannot ask questions that will likely reveal the existence of a disability before making a job offer.
Your boss likely has lots of things competing for their attention, so they may not be aware that you're struggling unless you speak up. And while it may be intimidating to start the conversation, a lot of good can come from leveling with your supervisor and being honest about the challenges you face in your role.
“If you are finding yourself spending a considerable amount of time thinking about work matters while at home, or you are checking emails at home or outside of work hours, this is a huge sign that your job may be negatively impacting your mental health,” says Kally Doyle, a licensed mental health counselor and a member ...
Living with anxiety and the symptoms of anxiety can make life feel unpredictable. You may even feel that there are no jobs out there for you, but that's isn't the case. There are opportunities. In fact, there are plenty of job options for people with anxiety.
There are so many aspects a job that can cause anxiety: having tight deadlines, trying to harmonize a work/life balance, dealing with office gossip and politics, meeting your supervisor's expectations… the list goes on. Thanks to all this, most people who work will experience some anxiety at some point.
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.