For Employers

What Can a Supervisor Do?

What Can a Supervisor Say to a Depressed Person? "I'm concerned that recently you've been late to work often and aren't meeting your performance objectives. . . I'd like to see you get back on track. I don't know whether this is the case for you, but if personal issues are effecting your work, you can speak confidentially to one of our employee assistance counselors. The service was set up to help employees. Our conversation today and and appointments with the counselor will be kept confidential. Whether or not you contact this service, you will still be expected to meet your performance goals."

As a supervisor, you can:

• Learn about depression and the sources of help.

Reading this brochure is a good first step. Familiarize yourself with your company's health benefits, Find out if your company has an employee assistance program (EAP) than can provide on-site consultation or refer employees to local resources.

• Recognize when an employee shows signs of a problem affecting performance which may be depression-related and refer employees appropriately.

As a supervisor, you cannot diagnose depression. You can, however, note changes in work performance and listen to employee concerns. If your company does not have an EAP ask a counselor for suggestions on how best to approach an employee who you suspect is experiencing work problems that may be related to depression.

When a previously productive employee begins to be absent or tardy frequently, or is unusually forgetful and error-prone, he/she may be experiencing a significant health problem.

• Discuss changes in work performance with the employee. You may suggest that the employee seek consultation if there are personal concerns. Confidentiality of any discussion with the employee is critical.

If an employee voluntarily talks with you about health problems, including feeling depressed or down all the time, keep these points in mind:

• Do not try to diagnose the problem yourself.
• Recommend that any employee experiencing symptoms of depression seek professional consultation from an EAP counselor or other health or mental health professional.
• Recognize that a depressed employee may need a flexible work schedule during treatment. Find out about your company's policy by contacting your human resources specialist.
• Remember that severe depression may be life-threatening to the employee, but rarely to others. If an employee makes comments like "life is not worth living" or "people would be better off without me,'' take the threats seriously. Immediately call an EAP counselor or other specialist and seek advice on how to handle the situation.

PROFESSIONAL HELP IS AVAILABLE FROM

• Physicians
• Mental health specialists
• Employee assistance programs
• Health maintenance organizations
• Community mental health centers
• Hospital departments of psychiatry or outpatient psychiatric clinics
• University or medical school affiliated programs
• State hospital outpatient clinics
• Family service/social agencies
• Private clinics and facilities

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