Coming Out of the Shadows: Recognizing and Effectively Addressing Mental Health Issues in the Workplace
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Mental health issues are largely hidden especially in the workplace. During COVID mental health issues weren't priorities in healthcare treatment triage decisions. In addition, COVID amplified many mental health challenges with isolation, anxiety, depression and self-medication. In the workplace some programs and benefits could help ( e,g, FMLA, sick leave, short term long-term disability benefits and Employee Assistance programs) but because of misunderstanding of mental health issues, possible accommodations and the stigma that attaches to disclosing challenges and seeking help many employees stay in the shadows. This session will discuss EEOC guidance and help HR professionals better understand and address mental health issues and accommodations in the workplace.
Learning Objectives:
- Understanding mental health protections under disability laws.
- Applying workplace policies.
- Walking through medical questions.
- Guiding through the accommodation process.
- Documenting important issues.
- Discussing possible resources ad assistance.
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Live Streaming and Recording: Unless marked 'in person only,' all sessions are live-streamed on the app or web format and available for replay 30 days after the event.
Acknowledgment of Technical Issues: While rare, technical issues may occur during sessions. We appreciate your patience as we quickly address them.
Accessibility & Accommodations Information: For detailed accessibility & accommodations information, visit INFO > FAQs in the app.
James Reidy, Esq.
Attorney James P. (“Jim”) Reidy is a management-side labor and employment lawyer. He is a partner in the New England based law firm, Sheehan Phinney Bass & Green, PA, where he is the Chair of the firm’s Labor and Employment group. His practice focuses on prevention, training and compliance but he also handles matters when claims arise.
He has more than 35 years of experience in the field and been a media resource on workplace law for media outlets including CNN, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times Business Magazine, Bloomberg, NPR, The Associated Press, NPR Market Place, Buzz Feed, Law 360, Inc. Magazine, The HR Power Hour, HR Breakroom, SKI Magazine and HR Magazine as well as several local/regional publications.
In 2020 Jim was inducted as a Fellow in the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.
Chambers USA and New England Super Lawyers have ranked Jim in the Top Tier of management-side employment lawyers for each year of the last 15 years. Best Lawyers USA named Jim the 2022 Lawyer of the Year for Labor and Employment Law (Manchester, NH) and the NH Business Review named him one of the top 200 most influential business leaders in New Hampshire.
Jim has been a presenter regularly at SHRM’s Legal and Legislative Conference in Washington, DC as well as SHRM’s annual conferences.