{"id":19993,"date":"2022-11-21T17:25:15","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T22:25:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=19993"},"modified":"2026-08-14T06:19:38","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T11:19:38","slug":"does-your-workplace-have-to-offer-mental-health-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/does-your-workplace-have-to-offer-mental-health-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Does Your Workplace Have to Offer Mental Health Days?"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s hard to focus on anything else when you\u2019re mentally struggling. If your mental health is starting to affect your ability to do your job well \u2014 or if your work is the source of stress or mental health struggles in your life \u2014 it may be time to brainstorm ways you can make your well-being a priority.<\/span><\/p>\n

One simple-but-effective way to do that? <\/span>Take a mental health day. In a <\/span>2022 survey<\/span><\/a>, 63% of workers reported taking at least one day off for mental health needs in the last year \u2014 and 78% of participants said their work performance improved after they came back from the day off.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Every workplace is different: Some offer designated, paid mental health days, while others include mental health days in sick time. The good news is, thanks to more public conversations around the importance of mental health and its relationship to work performance, many employers are taking steps to help their workers prioritize their well-being.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahead, everything you need to know about taking mental health days off from your job.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Why should an employer offer mental health days off?<\/h2>\n

Mental health days can be an important part of protecting your own mental health \u2014 but did you know that taking time off to relax is also in an employer\u2019s best interest? Mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression can negatively impact someone\u2019s overall well-being, which includes work performance and productivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Depression<\/a> can interfere with a person\u2019s ability to complete physical and mental job tasks, along with increasing the likelihood of workplace injuries when completing physical tasks. It\u2019s <\/span>estimated<\/span><\/a> that workplace stress and anxiety cost the global economy at least $1 trillion dollars each year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the flip side, <\/span>research<\/span><\/a> suggests employees who take time off for themselves tend to be happier at work, and happier workers are more likely to perform better in the workplace.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even if an employer allows employees to take time off for mental health, along with physical health reasons, you may still feel uncomfortable requesting time to care for your brain. Hopefully as we talk about it more, it will become more normalized.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Why should you take days off for mental health?<\/h2>\n

Even if you don\u2019t have a diagnosed mental health condition, work can be a major <\/span>source of stress<\/span><\/a>. By some estimates, <\/span>1 in 3 people<\/span><\/a> see their job as having a negative impact on their mental health and overall well-being, which may contribute to developing anxiety, depression, or <\/span>burnout<\/span><\/a>. <\/span>Burnout<\/a> stems from unmanaged workplace stressors. Its symptoms include fatigue or exhaustion, increased mental distance from one\u2019s job and reduced professional efficacy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Taking a day off occasionally to disconnect from your stressors and rest or practice self-care can help you maintain balance in your life, which can in turn protect your mental health and overall well-being. It\u2019s up to you what you do on your mental health day \u2014 you can simply rest, do an activity you enjoy or spend time with loved ones. Either way, try to recharge and refocus on what matters to you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Who qualifies for mental health days?<\/h2>\n

If you have paid sick time, then you technically have paid mental health time off, too. In general, <\/span>local and state sick time laws<\/span><\/a> allow employees to take time off work for both physical and mental health concerns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some companies have specific workplace mental health leave policies. If your employer offers mental health leave, it likely includes details about who qualifies in its policies and procedures manual. If there\u2019s no specific mental health policy, or the policy doesn\u2019t explicitly explain who qualifies or how to use it, ask your supervisor or human resources department.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

What if my employer doesn\u2019t allow me to take time off for my mental health?<\/h2>\n

Your mental health should be a priority, even if your workplace doesn\u2019t offer designated time off for mental health. You should be able to request time off as needed without divulging details of a specific diagnosis. However, to take longer periods away from work, you may need to provide paperwork from a medical professional or <\/span>therapist<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, longer leaves of absence require unpaid leave. The <\/span>Family and Medical Leave Act <\/span><\/a>provides an opportunity for workers to take extended medical leaves if they can\u2019t perform the essential functions of their jobs. FMLA guarantees workers up to twelve weeks of unpaid leave in a 12-month period, whether due to physical or mental health conditions that affect work.\u00a0<\/span>Not all workplaces are entitled to the benefits of FMLA. You can learn more about if your workplace qualifies from your supervisor or your employer\u2019s human resources office.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n