Employee experience, Remote work trends

Fighting mental health discrimination in the workplace

Why not think outside the border?

Onboard teams in 160+ countries within minutes.

February 14, 2023

Date

10 min

Reading Time

Around a quarter of British people experience mental health problems every year. From borderline personality disorder to social anxiety, mental illness is a pandemic that no lockdown or copious amounts of hand sanitiser can fix. It’s a serious health issue and one that should be treated as such. But, the workplace hasn’t always got this right, with a lack of support and outright discrimination making it difficult for employees to show up every day. Now that the world is shifting to a more remote approach, is this still the case, or have we finally given workplace discrimination the boot?

What is mental health discrimination?

If you have a mental illness and you find you’re treated negatively because of it when at work (including remote work situations), then you’re being discriminated against. This can include:

Not being allowed time off for health reasons
Being ruled out of promotions because of mental health
Being left out of important meetings
Being fired for too many absences related to mental illness
Mocking your behaviour
Calling you names associated with your mental illness
Ignoring requests that could make your work life easier

Discrimination occurs when employers and other staff members don’t understand mental illness and end up judging you for it. Sometimes, discrimination can be a form of punishment, as others don’t understand why you need extra sick days or a more flexible work schedule. In all forms, it’s wrong, harmful, and can seriously affect the life of the individual being discriminated against.

Does mental health discrimination still exist?

In the UK and across most of Europe, mental health discrimination in the workplace – both on-site and remotely – is illegal. Unfortunately, though, that doesn’t mean to say it doesn’t happen. Almost 90% of those suffering from severe mental health problems report that discrimination is rife across Britain, including in the workplace. 61%, for example, stated that mental illness discrimination had stopped them from applying for a job promotion, holding their career back due to fear and anxiety. Another report reveals similar findings, noting that 9 out of 10 employees with a mental illness face discrimination.

Why is stopping mental health discrimination so vital?

For some, remote work capabilities are a lifeline. You don’t have to interact face-to-face with others when your mental illness is flaring up, and can often keep a more flexible work schedule. However, a lot of people who are switching to remote work can see a decline in mental health, too. The lack of social interaction and less routine all contribute to a rise in struggling employees. As the business landscape becomes increasingly remote, there’s a huge need to face the problems surrounding mental health, including discrimination. More employees are suffering, and if their workplace doesn’t make them feel safe and supported, thousands of UK workers could be at risk of serious mental health consequences. Workplace mental illness discrimination can lead to individuals:

Not speaking out about their mental health due to fear
Not asking for support when they need it
Refusing job promotions or not going after them in the first place
Losing their job

Most importantly, it can exacerbate existing mental health issues. As we all know, mental illness can be a fatal disease. It’s vital that we tackle discrimination together to ensure that it doesn’t lead to worst-case scenarios.

Neurodivergence must be understood in the remote workplace

Neurodivergence describes differences in how the brain functions. About one in seven British people are neurodivergent, meaning that they’ll have different strengths and weaknesses from the general population and may not see the world in quite the same way. Autism and schizophrenia are well-known examples of neurodivergence. In the remote workplace, these conditions must be addressed. When not working face to face, many people who are neurodivergent can struggle more, with a lack of visual aids making communication more difficult and social isolation leading to worse mental health. It’s also been reported that half of managers would feel uncomfortable hiring a neurodivergent employee. This is blatant discrimination and shows that, though we’ve progressed, the British workplace is still not a welcoming place for those with slightly different brains.

What can we do to stop mental health discrimination?

There’s no doubt that mental health discrimination is still alive and kicking, even in the world of remote work. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that employers and employees can work to stamp it out, giving everyone equal opportunities regardless of their mental health. The first step is to create a zero-tolerance policy for discrimination. If you’re an employee and your workplace doesn’t have this sort of policy in place, bring it up in a meeting with senior staff members and push for it to become a reality. When a policy is in place, be sure to spread the word so that all staff know and make sure the consequences of discrimination are clear. All senior staff should be trained in how to support those with mental health issues, too. From knowledge of anxiety treatments to understanding the ins and outs of different mental illnesses, they should know exactly what to do when an employee comes to them for help. Workplace policies should already be in place to help staff. Allowing employees to log on at more flexible times as long as they complete the work, for example, and allowing for absences to receive treatment. Supporting the need for a healthy work-life balance is essential, too.