Workplace Mental Health Assessment Case Study: Supporting a Successful Return to Work
A workplace mental health assessment is vital to support a successful return to work.
The challenge: An hybrid employee was experiencing mental health difficulties which were affecting their ability to work effectively, so they were on sick leave.
The referral: The employer wanted an indepth and independent assessment of the employee’s functional abilities and wellness, under their duty of care, fitness for work and potential workplace adjustments.
The assessment: A detailed Mental Health Assessment was conducted by an Occupational Therapist from Healthywork. This was conducted via video call, at their home address.
The outcome: The assessment provided practical recommendations to support the employee and help the employer make informed decisions about their ongoing employment.
The Workplace Mental Health Assessment
A detailed Workplace Mental Health Assessment was undertaken by an experienced Occupational Therapist.
The assessment considered the employee’s health situation alongside the demands of their role, including the difficulties they were experiencing at work.
The Occupational Therapist considered:
- Current health and symptoms. There was extra time to discuss this in detail and ensure he was not unwell or at risk. Medication side effects had eased, sleep improved.
- Treatment and support – attending a set number of EAP (private) sessions
- Other health diagnoses – no physical health issues but learning needs (dyslexia) was identified.
- Functional – daily life tasks were being performed independently
- Workplace demands and difficulties identified – tasks reviewed. Workplace relationships, workplace stress.
- Reasonable adjustments and support options discussed
- Return-to-work considerations, Work from home/office, commute/travel, adjusted hours and duties
- Impact of the assessment – afterwards, a handout of self help info/contacts was provided to ensure support was available. Links for referring himself to the local NHS services, charity support options and reasonable adjustment advice from reliable sources on the internet.
The employee was found to be fit to return to work in a reduced capacity.
Recommendations within the workplace mental health assessment report
Following the assessment, Healthywork provided a detailed report to HR, including the assessment findings as identified above and addressing each of the employer’s specific referral questions.
Recommendations included:
- A phased return to work – a plan provided of reduced hours/day and days/week, advising weekly review with LM and HR, to determine pace of increase in hours
- Temporary adjustments to workload
- Changes to working hours, flexibly, avoiding peak travel times.
- Regular management and external support, Access to Work referral.
- Additional breaks/time out
- Technology assistance
- Workstation Ergonomic Assessment (home and office)
- Resources to identify future solutions and reasonable adjustments.
The Outcome
The assessment gave the employer a clearer understanding of the employee’s difficulties and provided practical recommendations for supporting them at work.
The recommendations enabled the employer to put appropriate adjustments in place and provided a structured approach to supporting the employee’s return to work.
What this case study demonstrates
Workplace Mental Health Assessments can provide valuable support when an employee’s health is affecting their ability to work.
A specialist assessment can help employers understand:
- How an employee’s health is affecting their work
- What barriers may be preventing them from working effectively
- Whether they may be fit to remain in their current role
- What reasonable adjustments may be appropriate
- How a return to work could be supported
- What further rehabilitation or support may be beneficial
Dealing with a similar situation?
If an employee’s mental health is affecting their attendance, performance or ability to carry out their role, a Workplace Mental Health Assessment can provide an independent professional opinion and practical recommendations.
FAQs
Could a Mental Health Assessment help an employee who is currently off sick?
Yes. A Workplace Mental Health Assessment can help establish the factors affecting an employee’s ability to work, whilst they are continuing to work and provide recommendations for a safe and sustainable return where appropriate.
Can Healthywork recommend reasonable adjustments?
Yes. Where appropriate, the assessment report can provide practical recommendations for workplace adjustments.
Can a Mental Health Assessment help with a capability process?
It can provide an independent professional opinion about the employee’s health and functional abilities and the impact of their health on their work. The employers referral questions should be tailored so that these aspects can be clearly addressed in the report.
Can assessments be carried out remotely?
Healthywork offers Mental Health Assessments by video call as well as face-to-face assessments where appropriate.
Please note: This case study has been anonymised to protect the confidentiality of the employee. Some details may have been changed or omitted for privacy.
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