b'MENTAL HEALTH ACCOMMODATIONSHelping Employees Stay at Work and Return to WorkBy Linda HarrisonJ thinks will help, but she may not knowAnother strategy is flexible breaks. Jane is returning to work after being off on disability for one year due towhat her options are. Having six five-minute breaks depression and anxiety. You want toThe following are five possibleinstead of two 15-minute breaks help her return to her job, but whereareas of accommodation to helpcan help when dealing with do you start? employees with mental healthstressful situations. Sometimes Workplace accommodations areproblems stay at work or return toan employee can take extra-long an important part of staying at workwork. These are a starting point forbreaks and add the time to the and returning to work for peoplea discussion with employees so theyend of their day. If a person is with mental health problems (Cullencan let you know what will be helpfulprone to panic or tears, knowing et al., 2018, Dewa, Trojanowski,for them.they can take the time they need Joosen, & Bonato, 2016). Whento compose themselves can accommodations are made in the1.Flexible Scheduling allow them to remain at work. workplace, the outcome of returningWhen returning to work, a gradualIf they have a quiet place to beto work is significantly improvedincrease in hours (e.g. over sixalone during this time, it can be (Dewa et al., 2016). In fact, theweeks) can be helpful. Returning toespecially helpful.people who receive a larger numberwork can be exhausting. The extra of accommodations usually endtime gives the employee a chance2.Organization up working longer at their jobsto adjust. It also gives time toWriting down instructions is usually(McDowell & Fossey, 2015). identify and address any difficultieshelpful. Tasks can be broken down Often, mental health problemswith returning to work. into smaller steps and made into can make working difficult due to:Changing the start or end timeschecklists. Expectations shouldcognitive difficulties (e.g. memory andof work can help with the effectsbe clear, specific and measurable. concentration), emotional difficultiesof medication, energy levelsPhone or computer reminders (e.g. being overcome with sadness,and medical appointments.can be used for daily tasks, anxiety or anger) and fatigue. MostBeing expressly allowed to takeappointments, meetingsmental health accommodationsthe time they need for medicaland deadlines.address these areas. appointments can help decrease The first step is to talk to Janeanxiety. This can still mean the3.Modification of the and let her know that you want to besame number of hours worked in aPhysical Environmentsupportive. You can ask her what sheweek, just at different times. Reducing noise, clutter and scentsOur labour and employment professionals are part of your team.Whatever your challenge, we are ready to support you.Your trusted resource for all aspects of labour relations and employment matters.Learn more atwww.tdslabour.com 1.855.483.752910 HRmatters www.cphrmb.ca'