Disclosing Depression in the Workplace

Employees are in a bind. They can be protected by anti-discrimination laws like the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act only if they disclose to their employer that they are disabled. In some cases, there is no need, as a disability is obvious. But in cases of depression or other mental health issues, the disability isn't obvious at all. An employer can only discriminate against a qualified individual with a known disability, so that rasies the question of whether an employee should disclose a disability and when.

This video (from the UK) shows what shouldn't be done -- for both the employer and the employee. The employee discloses that he suffers from depression before accepting employment and the employer lets his mental health stereotypes show -- from calling the man a "nut" to hiding the letter opener.

Although extreme, the video does provide a good message of what employers shouldn't do when faced with an employee who reveals that he or she suffers from a disability.