{"id":20275,"date":"2023-02-17T15:57:31","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T20:57:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20275"},"modified":"2023-03-03T14:35:29","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:35:29","slug":"how-to-request-mental-health-accommodations-from-your-employer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/how-to-request-mental-health-accommodations-from-your-employer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Request Mental Health Accommodations from Your Employer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mental illness comprises a spectrum of health conditions that millions of people face every day. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, <\/span>1 in 5 adults<\/span><\/a> in the United States experience mental illness each year, with 1 out of 20 adults living with a severe mental condition. The symptoms of a mental illness can affect every aspect of a person\u2019s life, including their job. For example, you may run into <\/span>limitations<\/span><\/a> at work, like difficulty concentrating, low energy levels or an inability to handle tasks or tight deadlines. These factors can have a negative impact not only on your mental health but on your job performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In addition, work itself can worsen the symptoms of your mental illness, regardless of whether you have an in-person or virtual job. Fortunately, if you have a mental illness, you have protection from the <\/span>Americans with Disabilities Act<\/span><\/a>. The ADA protects employees with disabilities, like mental health conditions, from discrimination. With backing from the ADA, you can request mental health accommodations from your employers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Discussing your mental health can be uncomfortable and feel intrusive about your personal life, so here\u2019s a guide to help you navigate this situation with your employer.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Types of mental health conditions and accommodations<\/h2>\n

Living with a mental health condition can <\/span>affect your job performance<\/span><\/a>. The ADA labels psychiatric and mental health conditions as mental impairments. These are any mental health conditions that <\/span>hinder your ability<\/span><\/a> to participate in significant life activities like communicating, learning and working. You have protected workplace rights if your mental health condition meets ADA criteria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some mental health conditions that can impact your work performance:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Post-traumatic stress disorder<\/h3>\n

PTSD can cause memories of traumatic events and distress from things that echo those experiences. Employees with PTSD <\/span>may demonstrate<\/span><\/a> low productivity levels and recurring job absences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bipolar disorder<\/h3>\n

Mood swings or episodes are a common symptom of bipolar disorder that can <\/span>disrupt<\/span><\/a> a person\u2019s energy levels, concentration and sleep patterns, potentially lowering their job performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Depression or anxiety<\/h3>\n

The symptoms of depression and anxiety can significantly impact productivity, leading to an estimated <\/span>12 billion working days lost<\/span><\/a> worldwide every year.<\/span><\/p>\n

Schizophrenia-spectrum disorders\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

Schizophrenia disorders <\/span>primarily affect<\/span><\/a> how employees manage social situations at work. Incoherence, hallucinations, irrational thinking, disorganized speech and other factors can impact the work performance of people with schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Examples of mental health accommodations in the workplace<\/h2>\n

You can discuss accommodations with your employer if you have one of the conditions mentioned above or another mental illness that meets ADA criteria. Employers can create reasonable accommodations tailored to your mental health needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Your employer can use the following <\/span>methods<\/span><\/a> to accommodate your mental health condition:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Flexible scheduling or time off<\/h3>\n

Depending on the type of work you do, you may be able to telecommute, work part time or adjust your shift start and\/or end times. In addition, your employer can offer sick leave for mental health reasons, flexible vacation time or extended breaks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Removal of distractions<\/h3>\n

Your management team can reduce workplace distractions by adjusting telephone volume, allowing noise-canceling headphones or adding room dividers.<\/span><\/p>\n

Relocation or modification of workspace<\/h3>\n

Your employer may move you to an area with fewer environmental distractions, or they may allow you to work in a private office or virtually.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Modified work or training materials<\/h3>\n

An employer can provide software that helps you stay organized, tape recorders for meetings or modified training materials.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Enhanced lighting options<\/b><\/h3>\n

Light sensitivity <\/span>can be an issue<\/span><\/a> for many individuals. Employers can assist by increasing natural light in the office, reducing fluorescent lighting where possible or modifying dress codes to allow personal solutions, such as wearing hats or sunglasses indoors.<\/span><\/p>\n

Managing a mental health condition while working can be difficult, but there are ways to make adjustments at your job if your employer is willing to do so. Unfortunately, not all employers will be aware of these mental health accommodations, so you may have to ask for assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tips for requesting workplace accommodations<\/h2>\n

Your mental health can be a sensitive subject to share with your employer. However, since many employers may be unaware of your ADA rights, you may have to <\/span>speak about your mental illness<\/span><\/a> to get those accommodations. Therefore, it\u2019s crucial to address the situation in a way that allows you to comfortably share your concerns without disclosing too much information to your employer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are some tips for requesting mental health accommodations at your workplace.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Pick the right time and person to ask<\/h2>\n

Whether you\u2019re a new hire or a longtime employee, you may worry that you\u2019ve missed your window to discuss your mental health with your employer, or that you\u2019re somehow cheating or deceiving your employer by asking for what you need after going without. Fortunately, you can request an ADA accommodation at any time in your work relationship, so there\u2019s no deadline to address your concerns.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Try to pick a suitable time to have this conversation with your employer. You always want to ensure you\u2019re considerate of other people\u2019s time. It may be best to schedule a meeting to discuss your accommodations to ensure that the person you choose is available.<\/span><\/p>\n

You can choose who you want to share your mental health concerns with, though the <\/span>Social Security Administration<\/span><\/a> recommends you speak with your human resources department. In your meeting, you can say something like, \u201cI would like to discuss the challenges I\u2019m having with getting my work done.\u201d After the conversation, your HR representative can verify your condition and continue the accommodation process.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Be comfortable with what you disclose<\/h2>\n

Sharing details about your mental health, whether minor or major, can be uncomfortable. Before initiating the conversation with your employer, consider what you will and won\u2019t discuss about your health. Remind yourself that you\u2019re facing challenges at work due to a psychiatric or mental condition that qualifies for ADA accommodation. Although your condition must be verified using ADA guidelines, you don\u2019t have to disclose any information you feel is too personal.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Be as specific as possible about your needs<\/h2>\n

Aim to be as detailed about your needs as you can. Although you don\u2019t need to disclose your mental health condition, you will need to discuss what difficulties you\u2019re having with your assigned tasks. You\u2019re more likely to get the accommodations if you explain how they can improve your job performance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Be reasonable in your requested accommodations<\/h2>\n

Try to stay moderate with your mental health accommodation requests. You should ask for reasonable mental health accommodations protected by the ADA. <\/span>Reasonable accommodations<\/span><\/a> are any changes to the job, job tasks or work environment that allows people with a disability to perform their work duties. If your request is deemed unreasonable, your employer has the right to deny it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of unreasonable accommodations include:<\/span><\/p>\n