Supporting Employees With Depression: A Guide On How to Deal With Depression At Work

28 of March, 2023

Let’s face it: Being an HR manager or business owner can be tough. You are responsible for the wellbeing and safety of your employees, and that is no small task. Recently, more attention is being paid to understanding and identifying depression in the workplace.

There are many effective ways to support employees who are struggling with depression, from providing flexible hours to offering mental health services. However, it can be difficult to know how best to approach the situation when you or your team come across a depressed employee.

That’s why we have created this guide. We have compiled our best strategies, tips and resources to help you better understand depression in the workplace, and provide effective support for those who may be suffering from it.

Our aim is to help you navigate these difficult conversations with compassion so everyone in your team can feel safe and supported. Also, we will have a glance at how tools like People Analytics can help identify these situations. Let’s start!

Understanding the Impact of Depression at Work

It’s an unfortunate reality that many of us will experience depression in our lives—whether in our personal lives or at the workplace. The statistics are staggering: 28% of Americans struggle with depression, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute of Mental Health reports that over 8 million Americans are dealing with depression in any given year.

This makes it critical for businesses to understand both how to identify depression in employees and how to better support them. After all, research shows that depression not only impacts individuals, but can have a domino effect on workplace morale, absenteeism and lessened productivity.

That’s why understanding the effects of depression is step one in developing a plan for supporting employees struggling with mental health issues.

So be sure to create an open environment where employees feel comfortable talking about their mental health, as well as training team leaders and HR managers on how to identify signs of depression and escalate cases for professional help.

Identifying Signs of Depression in Employees

Understanding what constitutes as signs of depression in the workplace is key to supporting those who may be suffering. Common signs may include changes in physical stamina, decreased motivation, lack of concentration, and decreased ability to work effectively.

Team leaders should keep an eye out for more subtle signs such as a greater than usual turnover of colleagues, employee isolating themselves from the rest of their team, or a decrease in enthusiasm or energy when previously they may have been excited about their task at hand.

Employees experiencing depression can also suffer from tiredness or fatigue which can hugely impact their daily output and morale. This kind of visible exhaustion can worsen further without support and understanding from employers who might not recognize the signs or know how best to approach the situation.

It’s important to provide a safe space for employees to talk should they need it and make sure that any discussions are done with complete confidentiality.

Best Practices for Employers to Support Depressed Employees

When it comes to supporting employees with depression, it’s important for employers to establish a system for communication and support. Consider these best practices:

Build open lines of communication

Encourage an open line of communication between you and your employees. Encourage them to talk about their struggles, and provide them with the resources they need.

Additionally, you can use Sesame to keep track of employee wellbeing metrics and take immediate steps when needed. Tools like HR reports and People Analytics will give all the data you need to identify and take action.

Change the workplace environment

Look for ways that you can make the workplace more accessible for those struggling with depression. One example is providing flexible work schedules. This way employees may be able to work from home or come in later or leave early if needed.

This helps reduce stress on the employee, so they can focus on feeling better and achieving goals.

Create a Support System

Provide employees with resources like emotional support groups, counseling services, or other workplace initiatives that empower employees experiencing depression to take control of their mental health journey.

Forming connections within the workplace also serves as a powerful way to boost employee morale and inspire collaboration amongst peers.

Creating an Open Dialog With Employees

Creating a safe, open environment where employees feel comfortable talking to their managers and HR team is key to managing depression in the workplace.

As an HR manager or business owner, you should be proactive in addressing any signs of depression amongst your employees by having conversations and providing support.

Active Listening

Active listening is an incredibly useful tool for making employees feel heard and understood. It’s important to remember that it’s not just about being heard but also feeling heard, so make sure that you build in plenty of time to listen.

Show them that you care with positive reinforcement, try repeating back what they said, ask thoughtful questions, and avoid any dismissive body language.

Develop Policies That Encourage Support

Having policies and practices in place to support mental health can help create a workplace culture of understanding and respect around mental health issues.

Encouraging employees to take breaks throughout the day, providing access to activities like meditation or yoga classes and offering mental health benefits all make a big impact on creating an open dialog about mental health issues.

It’s also important for businesses to ensure that their policies do not inadvertently discriminate against individuals with mental health conditions or perceived mental health conditions.

By taking steps to create an open dialog between managers and employees, businesses can go a long way towards making sure their employees get the support they need when dealing with depression. Ensuring that everyone can work together in the most productive way possible while still looking after their wellbeing.

Addressing Performance Issues of a Depressed Employee

If a depressed employee is struggling to keep up with their workload, it is important to discuss it with them in a supportive and compassionate way.

Show them that you understand their current challenges and that you are willing to help. Here are some tips for addressing performance issues of employee with depression:

Have honest conversations

When there are performance issues with an employee, the best way to start is by having an honest conversation. This doesn’t mean that you have to be critical of their work or lack thereof.

Instead, open a dialog to find out if there is anything you can do as an employer to make the situation better and how you can assist the employee in being successful in completing tasks.

Make use of resources

Make use of your employee assistance program (EAP) or other available mental health resources as needed. Sesame’s HR software allows employers to keep track of employee wellbeing and make sure employees get access to the support they need.

Set reasonable expectations

Once you understand the scope of the issue, be realistic when creating new goals and expectations going forward. Come up with a plan that takes into account any additional support needed and adjust workloads accordingly.

Establishing short-term goals that focus on progress rather than perfection can help employees feel more confident and motivated.

Conclusion

Taking the time to be proactive and ensure a healthy work environment and culture will have far-reaching benefits, both for employers and employees.

Companies should also be aware of the signs of depression in their workplace, be open to discussing mental health, and provide support and resources when needed. By doing so, they can create a positive working environment and ultimately build a strong, resilient and productive workforce.

If you’re having difficulty managing depression in the workplace, reach out to Sesame. Our cutting-edge HR software provides all the tools and resources needed to create a safe and healthy work environment for all employees, no matter their mental health status.