Life without stigma means we all get to live it. It's time for change.
Many of us may have experienced changes in our work lives over the last few years, including reduced hours or job loss, or working from home. For essential services and frontline workers, the last few years may have been exceptionally stressful.
As some of these work challenges hopefully improve, let’s leave stigma and discrimination behind.
Work without mental health stigma would mean:
- Our workplaces are inclusive and supportive environments
- We all experience equal opportunities for employment and for progressing at work
- We all get access to available support in the workplace if we need it
- We can let others know if we are struggling
- We don’t delay in looking after our mental health.
Stigma can arise because of lack of awareness and understanding about mental health, and can affect how people treat each other in work-life. Things are improving, but people with mental health difficulties in Ireland still experience stigma and discrimination in the work-place.
You can find more information and resources on tackling stigma in the workplace in our #NoStigma at Work information booklet.
You can also learn more from SeeChange, the national partnership to end mental health stigma.
If you are an employer, this leaflet with information about equality and mental health in the workplace may be helpful.
Download our #NoStigma at Work booklet
Your rights
We are all protected from mental health discrimination at work under national laws.
We explore mental health and your rights in the workplace in a #NoStigma blog here. You can also learn more in our #NoStigma video below.
For example, if you have an ongoing mental health issue, you have the right to access accommodations, or appropriate measures at work, once this doesn’t result in an unreasonable burden for your employer. This might mean helpful changes to your work environment or work schedule, for example.
In addition:
- the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) shares more information about the main employment equality law, the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2015
- IHREC provides a guide to your rights if you are discriminated against in the workplace or in seeking work.
Why does this matter?
- Six in ten of us would be okay explaining to our bosses that we need time off work due to a mental health difficulty; let's make sure that all of us would feel safe and protected to do this.
- One in ten of us have personally experienced or had a family member experience discrimination at work due to mental health difficulties: let’s make sure we can all fully realise our right to work free from discrimination.
You can be a part of this: help us build our voice to change our attitudes and behaviours around mental health once and for all.
These figures come from our Annual Stigma and Attitudes Survey 2020.
Continue to…
Life without stigma at home
