Depression In The Workplace

Depression is the third-ranked workplace health problem in the nation. It is estimated that one in four adults in America suffer depression at one time or another. And, depression is costly to the workplace, in terms of absenteeism, turnover, lowered productivity, and workplace accidents due to loss of concentration. For these reasons, managing employee mental health has become an important role of supervisors.

As a manager, you are probably not trained in the evaluation or treatment of depression. However, you CAN learn to recognize the overt and secondary symptoms of the disease, and learn to effectively address work-centered symptoms of a possible problem.. Anytime an employee’s performance plunges, you should become alert for a possible problem.

Common symptoms of depression that can be seen in the workplace include:

• Complaints of not feeling well
  
• Signs of drug or alcohol abuse
  
• Decreased productivity
  
• Morale problems
  
• Lack of cooperation
  
• Poor judgment
  
• Workplace accidents
  
• Increased absenteeism
  
• Looking or complaining of feeling tired "all the time"
  
• Withdrawal from others
  
• Decreased frustration for tolerance
  

When you observe some of these signs at work, your first step should be to call EMPAC and consult over the phone with one of the counselors. The counselor can help you sort out your thoughts and give you guidance on how to get your employee to EMPAC for help.

Your next step will probably be a discussion with the employee. Focus the meeting on observed performance issues, such as decreased productivity, and state your expectation for improvement. Then, you may want to give the "Sometimes" speech: "…sometimes, when an employee is having this kind of problem, it’s because a personal issue outside of work is intruding on work. I don’t know if this is the situation here, but, just in case, here’s the information about EMPAC…" Do not speculate or attempt to diagnose the employee! Speculating about depression, drug use, etc., whether your guess is accurate or not, may actually place the employee under protection of the Americans With Disabilities Act, and complicate your life needlessly! Try to keep the discussion focused on the performance issue only.

If an employee volunteers the information that he/she is depressed, remember these tips:

• Do not diagnose the problem yourself.
  
• Don’t pry for more information.
  
• Give them a lifeline (that’s where EMPAC comes in!).
  
• Recognize that the employee may need an altered work schedule, or a leave of absence. Find out about your business’ policies on leave.
  
• If the employee makes suicidal statements, even something as vague as "I wish I could go to sleep and never wake up", contact EMPAC immediately.
  

Please remember that depression is a very treatable disease. Most cases can be effectively addressed, and hospitalization is rarely necessary.

Helpful websites:
www.nami.org
www.workplacementalhealth.org