Depression at Work: How to Get Support and What Your Rights Are

Depression is a serious illness that can affect both your personal and your working life. At work, it can lead to lower productivity, time off sick and strained relationships with colleagues. In this article we look at how employers can support staff with depression, where to get help in the UK and whether an employer can dismiss someone because of depression.

What should you do if an employee has depression?

First, employers need to recognise that depression is an illness and a serious health problem. A good starting point is to raise awareness of the symptoms among staff and encourage people to seek help when they notice them in themselves. Employers should also make it easy to access support, for example through an employee assistance programme, occupational health or mental health first aiders, and encourage staff to speak to their GP.

Employers must also avoid discriminating against people with depression and treat them with respect and understanding. In practice, that can mean adapting the job to the person's needs, for example by changing working hours, allowing remote working or offering a quiet space where someone can take a break and collect their thoughts.

If an employee needs a longer break, the employer can agree a period of sick leave and a phased return to work afterwards, and support them while they get treatment such as therapy or medication. If someone is unable to work for a long time, they may be able to claim benefits such as New Style Employment and Support Allowance or the health element of Universal Credit, depending on their circumstances.

Employers should be aware that mental illness, including depression, affects not only the individual's work but the whole team. A person with depression may be less productive, more likely to make mistakes and less motivated. In that situation, it is important that the employer takes the right steps to help them recover.

Above all, the employer should create a safe working environment in which a person with depression feels accepted and understood, and give them the right tools, such as training or psychological support. That gives the employee a much better chance of recovering and getting back to their usual performance.

Where to get help if you think you have depression

If you think you might have depression, a good first step is to see your GP. They can talk through your symptoms, discuss treatment and, if you are not well enough to work, give you a fit note. In England you can also refer yourself directly to NHS Talking Therapies for free psychological therapy, without seeing a GP first. Similar services exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Charities such as Mind and Rethink Mental Illness offer information and support, and many employers provide free, confidential counselling through an employee assistance programme. Access to Work also offers a mental health support service for people in work.

Depression can also make work feel harder in less obvious ways, for example through constant self-doubt. Our article on imposter syndrome looks at that side of things.

Can you be dismissed because of depression?

Having depression is not, on its own, a fair reason to dismiss someone. If depression has a substantial and long-term effect on your day-to-day life, it may count as a disability under the Equality Act 2010. In that case, your employer must not treat you unfavourably because of it and must consider reasonable adjustments, such as changed hours, a phased return or adjusted duties.

That does not mean an employer can never end employment. If someone is unable to do their job for a long period, even with adjustments, an employer may start a capability process. But it has to follow a fair procedure: get up-to-date medical information, consult the employee, consider adjustments and alternatives, and not rush to a decision. If you think you have been treated unfairly, Acas offers free, impartial advice.

When you feel ready to return, a gradual return can help. Agree in advance what your first weeks will look like, the same way you would when starting a new job: clear priorities, regular check-ins and realistic expectations.

Useful contacts if you are in crisis

If you are struggling, you do not have to cope alone. In the UK you can contact:

• Samaritans: call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day, or visit samaritans.org.
• Shout: text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support by text, 24 hours a day.
• NHS 111: for urgent mental health help in England, call 111 and choose the mental health option.
• Childline: for children and young people, call 0800 1111.
• 999 or A&E: if your life or someone else's is at immediate risk.

It is important not to ignore the symptoms of depression or play them down. The illness needs professional support, and the right treatment and therapy can help people recover. So make use of the help that is available from specialists and mental health organisations.

If you are ready for a change of role or a more flexible job, browse current jobs in the UK on Jober.