The New York Times (11/15, B4, Tugend, Subscription Publication) reported that some 43.7 million US adults “suffer from a mental, behavioral or emotional disorder, according to the National Institute of Mental Health.” Many are in the workplace and may have a difficult time because of their disorder. Although “the Americans with Disabilities Act forbids companies from firing people with mental health conditions as long as they can do the ‘essential functions’ of the job as determined by the employer, people may not feel safe” disclosing a mental health disorder to their supervisors for fear of losing their jobs. Bosses may be unaware of ADA requirements or of company policies requiring schedule flexibility. The Times adds that “the Partnership for Workplace Mental Health, part of the American Psychiatric Association… posts on its website case studies of companies that have introduced programs to address the issue.”
Related Links:
— “Deciding Whether to Disclose Mental Disorders to the Boss,” Alina Tugend, New York Times, November 14, 2014.