Sadly, mental health problems are on the increase in society and this inevitably impacts on the workplace. Mental health is now the leading cause of sickness absence.
So what is the cause of Mental Health?
There are multiple factors that can contribute to someone being diagnosed with a mental health problem, such as poverty, genetics, childhood trauma, bereavement, discrimination, or ongoing physical illness (and many others) and when mental health problems arise they can happen to anybody.
We can all feel down or stressed temporarily and most of the time those feelings pass, but sometimes they develop into a mental health problem like anxiety or depression, which can impact our daily lives. For some people, mental health problems become complex and require support and treatment for life.
What should an Employer do?
Upon learning that an employee has a mental health problem, an employer should be supportive to help the employee cope and recover. The support people receive from employers is key in determining how well and how quickly they are able to get back to peak performance.
However, it is not only the day to day work issues that employers have to think about people with ongoing mental health problems may meet the definition of disability in the Equality Act. To be considered disabled, a person must have a physical or mental impairment that is long term (lasted or might last, for more than 12 months) and has a substantial adverse effect on their ability to carry out everyday activities.
If an individual has a disability, they are protected from discrimination and harassment; and are entitled to reasonable adjustments to their job or workplace.
Providing Support
In our experience most employers and work colleagues would wish to support an employee who has developed a mental health issue. Often an episode of mental ill-health is a one-off event triggered perhaps by a single event such as a bereavement or other traumatic experience but for others it can be a long term problem.
In many cases, the best person to work out the solution to the problem is the individual themselves. However, the support of colleagues and their employer to find ways to recover and to stay well, (such as encouragement that they see their doctor/counsellor, eat regularly and healthily, regular exercise and minimise alcohol intake) and ensuring that the workplace is a safe and pleasant place to be, can be steps in the right direction.
If an employee is absent from work, it may be a good idea to ask what they would like their colleagues to be told. it is also important to try to keep in regular contact with the employee.
if an employee is absent from work, it may be a good idea to ask what they would like their colleagues to be told. It is also important to try to keep in regular contact with the employee.
If the employee is going to be absent for some time, make sure they are not excluded from any workplace social event, or if colleagues are planning a get together. The employee may decline but are likely to appreciate being invited. The same invitation should be made to employees who might be on long term absence for other non-disability related medical or injury reasons.
Potential Problem Areas
When an employee is absent, it is their colleagues often who have to pick up the work that they would have done, with the employer possibly incurring cost of additional hours worked, or temporary cover.
Sometimes, this results in animosity towards the absent employee. Especially if colleagues see the absent employee out in the community or posting pictures of themselves ‘out and about’ on social media websites.
BUT REMEMBER: firstly, that not all disabilities can be seen; and secondly, that the image the person presents via social media – might not reflect reality. If the absent employee is out and about in the community, that should be interpreted as a positive step that the employee’s recovery is heading in the right direction. Sadly, some colleagues may, of course, interpret that the absent employee is faking the condition!
In addition to the concerns of colleagues, mental health issues can affect a person’s work performance and their conduct at work which are issues that may need to be dealt with and employees may need an extended period off work due to their illness.
Conduct – Inappropriate Behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour must be addressed and an employer should not shy away from using disciplinary procedure where needed, just because the employee has mental health problems. However, an employer should anticipate health/disability related issues and factor those in when investigating and carrying out the disciplinary process. It is wise to keep an open mind as to whether a mental health concern is a contributory factor. An Employment Tribunal upheld an employee’s claim of unfairly dismissed and disability discrimination because the employer had not fully taken into account a causal link between the conduct (behaviour) and the disability.
Performance Management
When addressing poor performance, employers must consider whether there are any health or mental health issues that have contributed to the employee’s poor performance and, if so, consider whether allowances or reasonable adjustments can be made.
In both these areas it is important (as with any such matter) that the issues resulting in formal action are fully investigated before any sanctions are considered.
Managing Absence
Experience shows that when absence is due to mental health issues, the longer a person is away the less likely they are to return and that return is harder to achieve.
Normal notification and certification rules apply and if an absence has extended beyond 7 days, the person will require a Fit Note from the employee’s doctor.
The Fit Note may well give you an idea of whether there might be reasonable adjustments to consider. Sometimes, a phased return to work can be helpful. Working fewer hours a day and reduced days whilst building back up to working their contracted hours can be a very successful approach to achieving an early return. If you need further guidance, you could seek assistance from an Occupational Health Provider or ask the employee for consent so that you can write to their doctor to help understand their condition. Both will provide an indication of when they may be fit to return and should provide guidance on the implementation of any reasonable adjustments.
If the absence becomes long term, employers will inevitably have to address the potential ending of employment on capability grounds. Any such dismissal carries risk, even more so if the employee has a disability. You will need to follow a capability/ill health procedure, which will involve obtaining a medical report (providing the employee gives consent) and you should only dismiss if it is appropriate to do so having regard to all the facts and circumstances of the case. Moreover, you will have to show you have fully considered what reasonable adjustments could have been made/were made to retain the employee’s services but have not been successful.
Mandatory Mental Health First Aid Training
Conservative MP Dean Russell earlier this year proposed a new Bill in the House of Commons which would make it a legal requirement for businesses to offer Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training. The aim of the Bill is that it would lead to more people spotting early signs of mental health issues in the workplace, and ultimately the training would “save lives”. Whilst there was initially no objections, and the Bill moved to the second reading in the house, there has been representations made by MHFA England in respect of unintended consequences arising from the Bill as it is currently drafted. We will let you know if this Bill actually becomes law.
Help and Support
This is a complex area and difficult one to manage; but there are many charitable organisations such as Mind, SANE, and others that can provide help and guidance …
Sentient Training
Sentient can provide training for managers and supervisors on mental health awareness aimed at providing guidance to identifying issues within the workplace and how to manage staff with mental health concerns and to provide the support that they may need during this period.
