Employment Issues  for People with Depression

 
Working is very important for all of us. It provides benefits such as social identity and status, social contacts and support; a means of structuring and occupying time; activity and involvement; and a sense of personal achievement. However, Depression can make it difficult for us to do our jobs or even go to work. At least one in five of us will have Depression to some degree at some point in our lives and that is a lot of the workforce!

Also, the current economic downturn is causing people to become Depressed or anxious for the first time. Job insecurity, redundancy and economic uncertainty is not good for your mental health.

On this page:
Depressed and employed?
Depression and Unemployment
For Employers
Further advice and support

Depressed and employed?

Five reasons why having experience of Depression can make you a better employee

1. You’ll be more aware of your strengths and weaknesses.
   
2. You’ve learned coping strategies for dealing with stress.
3. You’ll be more empathetic towards your colleagues when they are stressed and feeling pressured.
4. You’ll know why work / life balance is so important.
5. You’ve learned not to let things get out of hand before you take action and t

Things at work that can cause Depression or stress

• Excessive workload and too much pressure with deadlines and overtime
• Unsociable hours
• Unsupportive working environment
• Bullying and harassment
• Problems with colleagues
• Having too much responsibility beyond your job level. Or not having enough responsibility!
• Lack of job security, redundancies, cut backs in pay or hours
• Lack of job satisfaction, either from repetitive work or not getting positive feedback
• Personal crisis or problems, such as bereavement, financial problems, relationship difficulties, health concerns or illness, or problems with housing

Should I tell my employer I've got Depression?

You may worry about what your boss and colleagues will think if you admit to having Depression especially if there is a lot of job insecurity in your workplace. It is up to you whether you decide to disclose your Depression. You may be covered by the Disability Discrimination Act (see our page on the Act for more information). Skill have a helpful booklet about disclosing a disability available from their website..

Dealing with Depression at work

• Don't be afraid to take time off sick if you need it. Sometimes it can be better to take time off when you first get sick and allow yourself time to improve, rather than make yourself feel worse by struggling on when you really are too ill to go to work. Ask yourself would you feel bad taking time off for the flu? Depression is an illness too.
• If any issues at work are causing you stress or making you feel ill at work, try to talk to your line manager about them. If the problems concern your line manager, can their line manager help resolve them.

Where to get help and support

• If your employer has one, ask to be seen by the Occupational Health Department.
• If you are a member of a Trade Union they may be able to offer information and support.
• Contact your local mental health advocacy project. An advocate can support you in putting your point of view across.
• Citizens Advice Bureaux can help with issues related to employment and employment laws.
• The disability advisor at your local job centre may be able to advise you.

See further advice and support below for contact details of helpful organisations

Depression and unemployment

Maybe you are not currently working because you are ill from Depression. Or maybe you have been made redundant due to the credit crunch and this has caused you to become depressed. The shock of redundancy and losing your income and the subsequent period of unemployment and financial insecurity can be very upsetting and may cause you to experience anxiety and Depression.

Here are some tips for beating Depression while you are unemployed:

• If you are currently too unwell to work try not to feel guilty. You have an illness and like any illness, you'll feel better sooner if you take time to recover.
• Plan a task every day to give yourself purpose.
• Use the free time to exercise regularly. Exercise gets the feel-good brain chemicals going and helps fight Depression.
• Introduce a regular bed time and getting up time. Don't get into the habit of staying up late and sleeping in late. Save the long lies for the weekend
• Do things that make you focus your mind and increase your concentration, like the daily sudoku or crossword.
• Consider doing voluntary work if you feel well enough. Voluntary work can be very rewarding. It can give you a lot of the mental health benefits that paid work does such as increased confidence and something to get up for each morning.
• Consider joining a supported employment schemes for people who have experienced mental health problems. These offer training and support and are free to access.
• Don't ignore financial problems, they only become worse. Visit our money page for sources of help and support.

For Employers

If you are an employer, especially for a large company, there will be Depression amonst your staff. One in five employees is likely to be affected at some point in their lives. For an organisation of 1000 employees, 200-300 employees will experience Depression or anxiety during a 30 year career. The same company could experience one suicide per decade.

Many employers now realise that clinical Depression is not just feeling fed-up; it is an illness that can severely affect the person’s life. As an employer, if you take time to put policies and procedures in place to tackle workplace discrimination and offer support to those affected by mental ill health, you will retain the services of talented individuals who you have invested in.   Read our list of reasons why people with experience of Depression make good employees and value your workers with Depression!

How can I support my employees affected by Depression or low mood

• Ask the employee if the Depression is caused by problems at work and try to find a resolution to their concerns.
• Encourage employees to raise and discuss issues concerning their Depression in supervision or other confidential settings.  Stress that everything they tell you is confidential and make sure you keep it that way!
• If your employee goes off sick with Depression you may be concerned that you are wasting money, particularly when money is tight. However an employee who knows the job and has had training is an investment worth keeping, even if absent from work for a longer period rather than having to take on a new worker from scratch.
• Keep in touch with employees who are off sick with Depression. Don't over-pressurise them but encourage them to keep you informed so you know where you stand. Tell them how much you value them.
• Offer people returning to work from a period of Depression or other mental ill health a gradual return to work. For example they could start by working two days a week and gradually build it up until they are full-time.
• Ensure that managers and supervisors understand the facts about Depression and encourage all employees to look after their mental health.    
• Watch out for things at work that can cause Depression or stress.

Further Advice and Support

The Disability Discrimination Act and Depression
Money

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice offers advice and information on a variety of matters including benefits, debt, employment and the NHS.   Call Citizens Advice Direct on 0844 848 9600 for advice or visit your local Citizens Advice Bureau which can be found on the Citizens Advice Scotland website.

Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance

This website contains details of local independent advocacy projects www.siaa.org.uk

The Equality and Human Rights Commission

Advice on discrimination www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/scotland/pages/ehrcscotland.aspx

see me

Scotland's anti-stigma campaign. www.seemescotland.org.uk

Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)

Offer training and employment support for people affected by mental health problems www.samh.org.uk/frontend/index.cfm?page=243.

Employee Counselling Service

Support for employers and employees www.empcs.org.uk.

ACAS

Information on employment issues and dispute resolution www.acas.org.uk

Directgov

Government information on employment - www.direct.gov.uk/en/Employment/index.htm

Skill

Information on education and employment for disabled people www.skill.org.uk

Employment Tribunals Enquiry Line

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Tel: 0845 795 9775 www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk  

Work Smart

Info about your rights at work from the TUC. Know Your Rights line Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm Tel: 0870 600 4882 www.worksmart.org.uk

 

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Page last updated 16/03/09