Reasonable accommodations for mental health problems

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Work can be part of the recovery process. It provides all of us with important protective factors for our health, such as: routine, structure to day, social relationships, mental stimulus, self-esteem, activity, and a sense of wellbeing.

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Changes in communication

 

Arrange for work requests to be put in writing for a worker who becomes anxious and confused when given verbal instructions.

 

Train a supervisor to provide positive feedback along with criticisms of performance, for an employee reentering the work force who needs to be reassured of their abilities after a long psychiatric hospitalisation.

 

Allow a worker who personalizes negative comments about their work performance to provide a self-appraisal before receiving feedback from a supervisor.

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Schedule daily planning sessions with a co-worker at the start of each day to develop hourly goals for someone who functions best with a clear time structure.

 

Modifications to the physical environment

 

Provide room dividers for a worker who has difficulty maintaining concentration (and thus accuracy) in an open work area.

 

Job modifications

 

Arrange for someone who cannot drive or use public transport to work at home.

 

Restructure a receptionist job by eliminating lunchtime switchboard duty.

 

Exchange problematic secondary tasks for part of another employee’s job description.

 

Schedule modification

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Allow a worker with poor physical stamina to extend their schedule to allow for additional breaks or rest periods during the day.

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Allow a worker to shift their schedule to attend psychotherapy appointments.

 

(adapted from Mancuso 1990)