Mental health discrimination can quietly affect employees across many workplaces. Even when performance is strong, workers may face unfair treatment because of conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD or bipolar disorder.
California law protects employees from this kind of discrimination, but it still happens far too often. Here are some crucial points to consider.
Common examples of mental health discrimination
Discrimination can occur in many ways. Some common examples include:
- Being passed over for promotions after disclosing a mental health condition
- Facing negative comments or jokes about mental illness
- Being denied time off needed for treatment
- Receiving harsher discipline than coworkers for similar behavior
- Having job duties reduced without cause or explanation
These actions can make the work environment hostile or lead to lost opportunities. They also send a harmful message that mental health is not a legitimate medical issue.
Why this discrimination happens
Mental health discrimination often stems from stigma or lack of understanding. Some employers may wrongly believe that employees with mental health conditions are unreliable or unsafe. Others may see requests for accommodations as burdensome. In some cases, managers are simply unaware of their responsibilities.
Fear of being treated differently may also stop employees from speaking up. This silence allows discrimination to continue without challenge.
What employers can do to prevent it
Employers play a vital role in stopping mental health discrimination. Here are a few steps they can take: