Managers sometimes have the opportunity to do the right thing and remind employees that they are important to the business, and they can use this opportunity to help build a positive company culture and retain talent. can make a big contribution. But some are so ridiculously stubborn that they can’t even recognize the moment.
recently director on the subredditbad complianceplatform users nicknamed The Local Hull Zone I remember working in a bakery as a teenager and needed a favor. She had just lost her best friend and needed a vacation to reflect on what had happened. However, her manager denied her request.
This 17-year-old girl received the tragic news that her best friend had died
Image credit: Polina Zimmermann (not actual photo)
but her boss didn’t care
Image credit: Andy Lee (not actual photo)
Image credit: The Local Hull Zone
Mental health is often ignored in the workplace
Employers more or less understand that if you have the flu and can barely get out of bed, you need time off. But many of them don’t yet realize that mental strain can be debilitating as well.
when resume laba leading resume and career advice resource provider, surveyed more than 1,000 U.S.-based respondents to explore the top mental health issues in the workplace and found that 60% It turned out that he had felt discriminated against at work because of his health status.
according to ResumeLab’s Mental Health 2023 Report, 68% worry that disclosing their mental health status will damage their professional reputation. Fifty-nine percent also reported feeling that their mental health was impeding their career advancement.
“The data confirms that fears and stigma about mental health in the workplace still exist,” said Agata Szczepanek, a careers expert at ResumeLab. bored panda in an email statement.
Štěpanek added: “Although significant progress has been made in supporting workers, improving policies and building an inclusive and accepting working environment should continue to be a priority for companies.”
According to figures ResumeLab shared with Bored Panda, the top reasons for work-related mental health issues are:
- Work pressure (49%)
- Excessive workload (42%)
- Job insecurity (40%)
- Working long hours or overtime (39%)
- Toxic environment (37%)
- Low salary (35%)
- Discrimination or bullying (29%)
- Dangerous or poor working conditions (24%)
(Perhaps the prevalence of these issues is why this story resonated with other Redditors and inspired many to share their own similar experiences.)
Image credit: Canva Studio (not actual photo)
However, it is in our best interest to bring it up
Keynote speaker and consultant Deborah Grayson Riegel, who teaches leadership communication at the Wharton Business School and Columbia Business School, believes we need to talk about mental health in the workplace. Because deliberately avoiding mentions of mental health only magnifies the problem.
“When we do (and research confirms this), we may be happier, less stressed, more confident and more productive at work. It can also encourage people to share their experiences, creating a more trusting, psychologically safe and inclusive space for everyone.” Go to Help: 31 Strategies for Giving, Asking, and Accepting Helpis explained in harvard business review.
Before she consults with her supervisor, she should only include details that make sense to her or that are likely to be relevant to her performance or health at work, knowing that she does not have to share her medical records with anyone. I said please mention it.
“You may have specific legal rights in your city, country or organization. If you feel comfortable and can trust the HR team to keep your request confidential, you may ask the HR team for additional information.”
Mental health issues are different from disabilities. It occurs when there are significant changes in thoughts, feelings, or behavior that interfere with the ability to work and live normally. It can also be temporary if triggered by a particular stimulus or event. For example, the trigger could be a recent breakup, illness in the family, or another significant event, such as the loss of a close friend, as in the case of a Reddit article.
“Even if you perceive your condition to be temporary … please know that many will benefit from some form of support,” added Deborah Grayson Riegel. “If you have had a mental health setback in the past, think about what went well during it. Was it talking to a close friend or family member? Are you in a support group for
Also, remember that educating your manager involves being open with your manager’s questions. However, if the question feels too intrusive or personal, you can set boundaries. For example, if you told me that you were recovering from a substance abuse disorder, you might be happy to disclose that you attend regular Narcotics Anonymous meetings, but what drugs have you used in the past? and you don’t want to continue, just say, “I’m reluctant to share it.”
After all, work is just work. No deadline or project is worth sacrificing your own well-being.
Image credit: Natalia Vaitkiewicz (not actual photo)
people were appalled by this particular boss’s decision
However, many shared similar stories and sadly indicated that situations like this are very common.
