Talking to your employer about your mental health at work

Opening up to someone about your mental health can be difficult, especially if it’s your employer. You might be unsure when to bring it up, or how to go about having the conversation. You may be afraid of what will happen if you speak about mental health at work. However, sharing what you’re going through can be a huge relief and could make your work life a lot easier.

It’s important to know that in Ireland, you’re not obligated to discuss your mental health with your employer if you don’t want to. However, if you choose to, it can be an empowering step.

This article provides possible answers to some of these questions, and covers the following important areas:

Reasons for speaking about your mental health at work
Who you might speak to about these challenges
How to have a conversation about your mental health at work
Reasonable accommodations for an employee struggling with mental health difficulties
How to deal with discrimination in the workplace

Reasons for speaking about your mental health at work

The first step is deciding whether you want to talk to your employer about your mental health at work. This is a personal choice, and it’s important to weigh the benefits before making a decision. You may wish to inform an employer when applying for a job or in advance of a job interview if you require accommodations to engage in the assessment or interview process.

If you are already working, the following are some potential benefits that might result from speaking to your employer:

• Supportive work environment: You may be able to make changes to your workplace or workday that better suit your needs
• Increased understanding: If you feel like you haven’t been performing at your best, sharing your struggles could help your employer understand why
• Access to support: Your employer might offer an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which often includes free, confidential counselling. Some workplaces even allow you to contact the EAP without anyone else knowing. Employees should be able to access EAP if it’s provided regardless of whether or not they inform their employer about their mental health concerns. Speaking with a counsellor can help you decide whether to talk to your employer
• Sense of relief: You might feel a sense of relief after sharing your situation, knowing that you don’t have to carry it alone
• Reducing stigma: By opening up about your own experience, you might help reduce the stigma around mental health at work
• Taking sick leave: If your mental health takes a sudden dip or you experience a relapse of a mental health condition, you may need to ask your employer for time off so that you can recover

If you feel that your mental health issues are related to your work environment or burnout at the office, it’s important to discuss this with your employer. Talk about how the working environment or company culture is affecting your mental well-being and explore whether any changes can be made to better support you on the job.

Decide who to talk to about your mental health at work

If you decide to discuss your mental health with your employer, the next step is choosing the right person to talk to. Consider who you trust at work and who is likely to offer the support you need. Take your time making this decision, and remember, you don’t have to have this conversation unless you’re ready.

Speaking to your manager about your mental health

If you feel confident that your manager will be understanding and keep your information confidential, they could be a good choice. It is important to bear in mind that your manager may be required to inform Human Resources (HR). It is best to check about what confidentiality is offered in the workplace first by consulting your employee handbook.

Letting your manager know about your struggles can help provide context for any recent changes in your work performance. They might be able to adjust your workload or work environment to make things easier for you. Additionally, they may connect you with other available supports within your workplace.

Talking to your employer may help you access occupational health support, which is different from Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). Occupational health services are usually provided by medical professionals like doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and psychologists. They can help support your mental health and well-being at work, aiming to prevent the need for time off due to mental health issues. The availability and size of these services can vary from one business to another.

Speaking to human resources about your mental health at work

If you’re concerned that your manager might not be understanding, consider speaking to someone in Human Resources (HR) first, if your company has a HR department. HR is there to help with any difficulties you may encounter at work, and they’re often equipped to support you in situations like this. They may already have policies in place to guide you through the process. If you choose to talk to your manager first, they might also suggest you speak with HR afterwards for additional support.

Bear in mind that if you choose to speak to HR instead of your manager, HR may reserve the right to reveal details of your conversation to your manager. Check the limits of confidentiality before deciding to speak to a HR representative.

Speaking to a coworker about your mental health

Before approaching your manager or someone from HR, you might find it helpful to first talk to a coworker you trust. A colleague who understands your day-to-day workload and knows what you’re going through can offer valuable support. Having someone in the workplace who gets what you’re experiencing can be a relief when things are tough. They might also be able to support you in taking the next step of speaking to your employer about the issue.

Keep in mind that if your co-worker is higher up in the organisation, they might be required to report the details of the conversation to HR. There is no guarantee of confidentiality when informing a co-worker. It is best to be direct and tell them if you would prefer them not to discuss what you have disclosed with other people.

How to have a conversation about your mental health at work

Depending on your relationship with your employer, there are a few different ways you can approach the conversation. It’s a good idea to choose a quiet day and find a private space where you feel comfortable.

You have full control over how much you share with your employer, and if you prefer not to, you don’t have to mention your condition by name. Sometimes, your employer might ask for more details about your situation, so it can be helpful to have a note from your doctor or a mental health professional. This note can explain your condition, how it affects you, and suggest any adjustments that might help you at work. You may not have spoken to a doctor or mental health professional about your mental health issues before, and that’s OK too.

Reasonable accommodations

Once you’ve talked to your employer, you can begin taking steps to manage your mental health at work. It’s important to work together with your employer to find an arrangement that works for both of you.

In Ireland, the Employment Equality Acts require employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities, which includes those experiencing ongoing mental health challenges. These accommodations help ensure that everyone has equal opportunities at work, including during job interviews, training, and when returning to work after a mental health-related absence.

Some individuals may not want or need reasonable accommodations. They may simply want to inform their employer about their mental health. This is perfectly acceptable. However, if you do need supportive changes, below are some examples of reasonable accommodations for mental health. It’s important to remember that what’s considered “reasonable” may vary depending on the workplace. It might be reasonable to request a remote working arrangement in some cases. However, it may not be feasible in jobs where a person’s physical presence is required, e.g., a mechanic.

• Time off for medical appointments: Taking time off to attend appointments with healthcare professionals
• Mentoring and peer support: Access to support from colleagues or mentors
• Phased return to work: Gradually returning to work with reduced hours or responsibilities, if needed
• Flexible hours or remote work: Adjusting work hours or allowing you to work from home
• Adjusting duties: Changing or reducing specific tasks in consultation with you
• Training and support: Providing training to help you perform your job effectively
• Changing workspace: Relocating your desk to a quieter, more comfortable area

Occupational therapy support

It can be helpful to seek additional advice from your doctor, an occupational health specialist, or a mental health support group. You do not require a doctor’s note to start a conversation about mental health with your employer. However, some organisations may ask to see a GP note if you are also requesting reasonable accommodations. They may also ask you to see an Occupational Health doctor who is contracted by the employer. The Occupational Health doctor may seek permission to contact your GP.

Occupational therapists can also assist by evaluating which work activities are challenging for you. They can help you develop a plan to address those challenges. This support is especially useful for people with moderate to severe long-term mental health conditions. In these cases, people may find it more challenging to maintain stable employment. If needed, your GP or public health nurse may be able to refer you to a primary care occupational therapist. This therapist should have experience of supporting individuals with long-term mental health difficulties. If you are involved with a community mental health team, they may have an occupational therapist who can offer support.

In some cases, where an individual is struggling with more severe difficulties, reasonable accommodations may not be enough and they may need to take a period of leave.

Dealing with discrimination in the workplace

If you experience any discrimination at work because of your mental health, it’s important to know that this is against the law under the Employment Equality Act. Discrimination in the workplace is illegal, and you have rights to protection.

You can learn more about the types of workplace discrimination by visiting the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) website. If you face discrimination, you can file a complaint with the Workplace Relations Commission. Remember, you must file your complaint within six months of when the suspected act of discrimination took place.

Feeling overwhelmed and want to talk to someone?

• Get anonymous support 24/7 with our text message support service
• Connect with a trained volunteer who will listen to you, and help you to move forward feeling better
• Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808 to begin
• Find out more about our text message support service

If you are a customer of the 48 or An Post network or cannot get through using the ‘50808’ short code please text HELLO to 086 1800 280 (standard message rates may apply). Some smaller networks do not support short codes like ‘50808’.