No employee likes a “hovering” boss. You know the kind—arriving at your cubicle every hour to ask, “How’s the project coming along?” But when it comes to mental illness in the workplace, the boss should be on the lookout for “at risk” employees.
“Mental illness is one of the commonest forms of illness and hits people during their early and productive peak years,” said Dr. David Goldbloom, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, speaking today at the Group Insurance and Pharmaceutical Committee seminar in Toronto. And, he added, mental illness carries a double burden: the symptoms and the stigma. “If your mind is broken, people treat you differently,” he said.
Case in point. In one study of 200 HR directors of public companies, they were given a description of two potential candidates with exactly the same qualifications and absence records. The only difference was one had depression, the other, diabetes. The respondents overwhelmingly chose the candidate with diabetes to fill executive, clerical and manual positions. Stigma, indeed.
An estimated $30 billion a year in Canada is lost in productivity due to mental illness and substance abuse. According to 2007 data, mental illness is the number one cause of disability in the public and private sectors. And, the World Health Organization states that by 2020, depression will be ranked second worldwide in years lost due to disability.
The problem for insurers and employers is twofold, said Peter Gove, director of disability management and life insurance services for SSQ Financial Group. “Employees don’t self-identify the illness, and employers have difficulties getting employees to treatment.” But here’s where the “hovering”(or at least keen observation)can come into play.
Managers and supervisors need to be on the lookout for “at risk” employees. Signs to watch for include:
• less productivity
• low morale
• increased absence
• more accidents/errors
• fatigue
• isolation/withdrawal
• lateness
Once the illness is brought to the attention of the employee, employers should encourage that employee to seek treatment—whether that means investigating the company EAP, visiting her GP or searching online. Some self-help websites(such as www.depressioncenter.net and www.feelingbetternow.com)allow patients to print out a care map to take to their family physician.
If employers really do care about their employees, and are vigilant about mental health in the workplace, they’ll be doing them a great service. Have you checked your employees today?
To comment on this story email brooke.smith@rci.rogers.com.