New ACAS guidance: Mental health at work and reasonable adjustments

ACAS has recently issued new guidance on mental health at work for employers. The guidance focuses on reasonable adjustments for mental health, what they are, how an employee can request them and how an employer should respond to such requests.

Reasonable adjustments for mental health can help employees to stay in work while recovering from or managing a mental health condition. They can also help employees work safely and productively. If an employee has a mental health problem, it’s important their employer takes it seriously and with the same care as a physical illness. An occupational health professional can give you advice on what adjustments might be suitable.

Mental health problems can last for a few weeks, months or longer-term so it is important that reasonable adjustments are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Reasonable adjustments might not work straight away so allowing some time for any changes to take place is advisable.

As a manager, you should:

• monitor how the adjustments are impacting the employee, others they work with and work priorities
• review the reasonable adjustments as agreed
• arrange regular check-ins with your employee

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