Take time to think about what you want to
say, to whom and when. You may want to involve other people
in the discussion. These could include:
- those involved your healthcare
- the occupational health service
- your staff or trade union
representative.
Make sure you are clear about your
employer’s policies on mental ill-health
and disability. Your employer cannot tell anyone else
about your mental ill-health without your express and, preferably,
written permission.
It can be difficult to negotiate all
this especially if you are feeling unconfident or
unwell.
- If you don't say
anything, your employer (and your colleagues) may not be
understanding if your health starts to affect your work.
- If you do tell your
employer, they may be able to make practical changes to your work
or workplace that support you both to work and stay
well.
Links
to resources:
MIND guide to surviving working life: Staying in
employment
Alison Cobb and Kaaren
Cruse, MIND 2007
This booklet is a comprehensive guide to
strategies to stay in work, or to make decisions on when to step
back from paid work until the time is right. It includes
information on managing your mental health at work, getting support
from employers and mental health services.
RETAIN
RETAIN is a national job retention service run
by the Richmond Fellowship which aims to maximise the chance that
an employee with mental health conditions (including stress,
anxiety and depression) maintains their employment when problems
arise. RETAIN Employment Advisors give one on one
confidential support, information and guidance.
Time to Challenge: Time to Change
This
programme is jointly run by MIND and Rethink. The
website includes an employment issues section with advice and
information for employees.
The ‘Telling
my manager’ section includes advice about working
with your employer and occupational health services.
Advisory,
conciliation and arbitration service (ACAS)
The health, work and well-being section of the
ACAS website includes links to information, advice and services
provided by ACAS, including a telephone
helpline.
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