Accommodating Mental Illness in the Workplace

This is your HR News Flash, your briefing on talent management and the world of work from HRCI. Recently, discussing and acknowledging mental health concerns have become part of employee wellness programs. Here are some indicators to recognize and understand mental health needs at your organization. Recognize performance indicators. Managers should be aware of how symptoms of mental illness might manifest in performance. These include tardiness, reluctance to engage in a specific task or other performance deficiencies.  Empathize and Understand. Mental illness symptoms are often unrecognized. Encourage all employees to use mental wellness resources like EAPs or virtual counseling. Foster employee trust. Despite the increase in openness about mental health, it is still often stigmatized. Reach out to employees and make sure they know that their health is a priority for your organization.  Collaborate on accommodations. Accommodations can vary from flexible schedules, alternative work arrangements or special projects and assignments. There is not a one-size-fits-all resolution and there should be continuous dialogue about the impact of mental health on job performance. Protect privacy. Compliance with HIPAA and privacy laws are essential to protect your organization and impacted employees. Assure the employee their privacy and any documentation will be protected. This concludes your HR News Flash. HRCI prepares HR leaders for the digital age. Thanks for listening. Check back soon for the workplace news you need. Learn more at HRCI.org.