Depression - Don't Ask / Don't Tell

Your palms are sweaty. You can feel your heart beating faster than normal. Your mind is racing. You have spent the morning preparing and readying yourself, going over your CV and planning for the competency questions. You are determined to get this job. You know what the role entails and know that you are capable of it - you know that you would be an asset to the company, if they give you the job.

There is just one problem. The reason for your anxiety. You have recently suffered with a mental illness and you are still unsure whether to disclose this in your interview or not

The issue of mental health and employment is a tricky one. As someone who has seen the effects on a loved one and provided guidance and assistance, where possible, with navigating her ongoing employment and the hurdles presented by HR, I can empathise completely with anyone when weighing up the decision on what course to take.

According to the Mental Health Association of Ireland, the benefits of work for a person recovering from a mental health difficulty cannot be underestimated.

"Mental illness can have a profound impact on a person's confidence and motivation and work can act as a stabilising influence lending routine and structure to the day".

Mental health problems are common, yet despite the fact that right now one in six workers are experiencing unmanageable stress, anxiety or depression, few are willing to tell their employers for fear of the consequences. Employees are right to hesitate – research from Mental Health Ireland released in 2016 found that one in five people who had disclosed had been sacked or forced out of their jobs. However, employers are only legally obliged to make 'reasonable adjustments' (such as flexible working) to support you if they know about your health problems, leaving workers weighing up which is the lesser of two evils.

There are many reasons to be hopeful though. Research shows that employers are now more aware of mental health problems than they were five years ago and make more accurate judgments of how many employees have them. Encouragingly, a large majority of employers also said they were happy to discuss mental health with a job applicant. The law is also more protective. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, advise that there is no specific legislation relating to mental health, however the area is covered by the Employment Equality Act 1998, under the subject of disability. This act covers all relevant areas from access to employment, through to working conditions, training and promotion.

No obligation to disclose

One of the most important things a person with a mental health illness needs to know when seeking employment is that they are under no obligation to disclose information about their condition. It is completely at their discretion. While such a topic would not generally come up in an interview, a person may be asked to explain something such as a gap in employment, which may have been due to illness. At this point, it is up to the employee whether to disclose.

Telling anyone about your mental health is a personal choice, and involves careful consideration of the pros and cons. On the downside, yes discrimination does still take place. People who disclose after getting a job offer can have that offer withdrawn, and those who disclose while in work can find they are shown the door. On the upside, disclosing means you're likely to be protected by the Equality Act and discrimination against you can be unlawful. Telling your boss gives them the opportunity to be supportive, maybe even offering you flexibility and adjustments that allow you to thrive for years to come.

There is no right or wrong time for disclosure. Some people wait until they are established in a workplace, while others either want or need to discuss it straight after a job offer.

Being up front feels risky, but a good indication is to ask yourself, would you want to work for someone who does not understand – and refuses to entertain the idea of - an employee with a common health complaint?

A lot of whether you choose to disclose depends on how you feel about your mental health and your relationship with your line manager. It is a decision that you need to be comfortable with as you are placing your trust in the organisation, but make sure you know your rights and do not be afraid to reach out for support from professional who can give you legal advice.

Thank You

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. If you are suffering from depression or anxiety and want an ear to bounce your thoughts off please contact me and don't worry - you are not alone.