April 29, 2016
Mental Health Works (MHW) program
manager Mark Henick provided some advice to those considering disclosing a
mental health issue to a boss in a recent article in Canadian Living.
Mark
Henick is Mental Health Works Program Manager
Henick explained how opening up can be empowering, but
informing a workplace superior doesn’t mean someone has to disclose a diagnosis,
only potential “functional limitations.”
When ready to tell an employer, Henick said it’s best to come
prepared with a reasonable work plan with accommodations indicated. Having a
doctor’s note in hand doesn’t hurt, either.
“Bring practical solutions to the table,” he said. “Employers
respond better to that kind of approach—you’re doing half their work for
them.”
If worried a boss won’t be supportive, Henick’s suggestion is
to find an ally in the workplace — someone in the human resource department, a
union steward or a colleague – that can offer assistance.
Henick has been program manager of MHW since October 2014. MHW
is a national social enterprise of the Canadian Mental Health Association and
aims to address issues related to workplace mental health. Its head office is
part of the Ontario Division.