Challenges in the Workplace
Here are some examples of how a person who experiences a mental illness may have trouble with the workplace.
Please note there are a lot of different types of mental illnesses, and that this is not a comprehensive list, nor do these challenges apply to everyone who has a mental illness.
Screening out environmental stimuli
An inability to block out sounds, sights or odours that interfere with focusing on tasks. For example: An employee may not be able to work next to a noisy printer or in a high traffic area.
Possible solutions
Move printer away from work area, allow employee to wear headphones playing soft music, install high partitions around the desk.
Sustaining concentration
An employee may be restless, have a shortened attention span, be easily distracted, have trouble remembering verbal directions. For example: An employee may have trouble focusing on one task for extended periods.
Possible solutions
Break large projects into smaller tasks, allow brief but more frequent breaks to stretch, walk around, get fresh air, and assign tasks one at a time.
Maintaining stamina
A person may find it hard retaining enough energy to work a full day, and combating drowsiness due to medications. For example: An employee may not be able to work a full eight-hour day.
Possible solutions
Part-time hours, rest breaks in middle of day, job sharing.
Handling time pressures and multiple tasks
An employee may find it difficult managing assignments and meeting deadlines, prioritising tasks. For example: An employee may not know how to decide which tasks should be done first, or be able to complete tasks by the due date.
Possible solutions
Break larger projects down into manageable tasks, meet regularly to help the employee to prioritize tasks or to estimate time to complete project.
Interacting with others
A person may not be getting along, fitting in, talking with co-workers, reading social cues. For example: An employee may not talk with co-workers at breaks, or may have trouble knowing "how things go around here".
Possible solutions
Establish a mentor or co-worker buddy relationship to introduce the employee to others or to show the employee the ropes.
Responding to negative feedback
Trouble understanding and interpreting criticism, knowing what to do to improve, initiating changes because of low self esteem. For example: An employee may not seem to understand the feedback given, or becomes upset when criticism is delivered.
Possible solutions
Arrange a meeting with the job coach and employee to facilitate feedback, use a feedback loop (ask employee's perspective of performance, describe both strengths and weaknesses, suggest specific ways to improve), give employee the chance to read written feedback privately, and then discuss.
Responding to change
Not coping with unexpected changes in work, such as changes in the rules, job duties, supervisors or co workers. For example: An employee may take longer to learn new routines, or feel stressed when new supervisors or co-workers start work.
Possible solutions
Prepare employee for changes that will be happening, explain new rules or duties, make a special effort to introduce new staff to employee and orient new supervisors to employee's needs.