With the month of October being Mental Health Awareness Month in South Africa, we at Scorpion Legal Protection think it’s important to share some useful tips regarding mental health in the workplace.
Mental health has proven to be a serious issue that affects many employees in the workplace. It has been identified that mental health can impact an employee's ability to perform their duties and reduces their overall quality of life. It is unfortunate that even with all the awareness, mental health still carries a stigma, causing individuals to feel ashamed or unsupported. Furthermore, it is important for employees who suffer from mental health issues to know their legal rights; this is to enable them to receive proper support from their employers.
Labour legislation requires employers to make reasonable accommodations for employees with mental health conditions. These adjustments can include flexible work arrangements, additional leave, or modifying job duties and expectations. However, what constitutes ‘reasonable accommodation’ can vary depending on the specific mental health issue and the nature of the job. Below are some useful tips that employees need to keep in mind:
Tips for Employees
- It is important to know your legal rights when it comes to your mental health condition. Know that there are laws to protect you.
- You need to go through and understand your organisational policies. You also need to be aware of all the company benefits and resources that benefit you as an employee, this includes any employee assistance programmes, counselling services, mental health days, and therapy resources.
- Practice self-care and create a healthy work-life balance. Take breaks, set realistic goals, and avoid overworking yourself.
- Communicate with your employer. Part of reasonable accommodation in the workplace includes open and honest communication with your employer about your mental health condition. Let your employer know how you can best be supported while you are at work.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It is important to seek help when needed, including speaking with a healthcare professional, therapist, or support group.
At Scorpion Legal Protection we not only assist members with matters like these through our specialist labour division, we also give members free access to social workers through our partnership with Famsa. Having legal help when things get difficult in the workplace can give you invaluable peace of mind. Join Scorpion here.
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*This is basic legal advice only and should not be relied on solely. Information is correct at the time of publication.