HR Industry News

Call for an end to the stigma of depression in the workplace

— 18 April 2008 —

The case of Sandra Samuel versus Waltham Forest Council has led to calls for an end to the stigma of depression in the workplace.

Sandra Samuel won her case against Waltham Forest Council after an employment tribunal found the Council did not make “reasonable adjustments” for her disability and that she was unfairly dismissed and victimised.

Ms Samuel started working at the Council in 1990, and was diagnosed with depression in 1994 after having given birth to twins. As a result of her health problems, she began working 24 hours a week.

After a disciplinary incident, she was sacked, but reinstated when the council learned that she had been suffering from depression. The Council offered her a role that did not suit her 24-hour working week, and after ten months she resigned, claiming constructive dismissal.

Paul Avis from Ceridian Lifeworks commented that “it is somewhat surprising that employers are not really embracing compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act as it has been around since 1995! However one area that all employers still struggle with is mental health and so this case does illustrate that despite being one of the largest growth areas in absence causes, insurance claims for continued sick pay and, dare I say it, litigation, we need much more robust procedures for supporting those with these type of conditions.

"Employee Assistance and out-sourced Absence Management Programmes are two inexpensive routes to comply with legislation and support those with mental health issues and also provide an employee engagement tool and increased service and benefit optimisation opportunities.”

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