{"id":24031,"date":"2022-09-06T07:59:56","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T07:59:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/work.life\/?p=24031"},"modified":"2024-10-18T11:52:32","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T11:52:32","slug":"taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking Time Off Work for Mental Health in the UK"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Quick Links<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#i\" >\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#Can_you_take_time_off_work_for_mental_health\" >Can you take time off work for mental health?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#i-2\" >\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#What_mental_health_disorders_entitle_you_to_take_time_off_work\" >What mental health disorders entitle you to take time off work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#How_long_can_you_take_off_work_for_your_mental_health\" >How long can you take off work for your mental health?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#i-3\" >\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#How_long_can_you_take_off_work_for_a_mental_health_disability\" >How long can you take off work for a mental health disability?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#i-4\" >\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#How_to_discuss_mental_health_at_work\" >How to discuss mental health at work<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#i-5\" >\u00a0<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#Mental_health_and_employment_rights_support_in_the_UK\" >Mental health and employment rights support in the UK<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>Mental health problems can be just as debilitating as physical illnesses. But when it comes to requesting time off work for our mental health, many of us are reluctant to ask. In fact, many don\u2019t know their rights in the workplace when it comes to taking mental health leave\u2014 or that they\u2019re entitled to time off at all.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re struggling and are wondering if you can take time off work for your mental health in the UK, read on to learn:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What mental health disorders entitle you to take time off work<\/li>\n<li>How long can you take time off work for your mental health (including when classified as a disability)<\/li>\n<li>How to discuss mental health at work with your employer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Plus, at the end of this article, we provide resources for mental health and employment rights services in the UK, alongside our top advice for creating a happier workplace.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i\"><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_you_take_time_off_work_for_mental_health\"><\/span>Can you take time off work for mental health?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There is no specific UK law regarding mental health leave (although later in this article, we explain how mental health leave can, in some instances, fall under the Equality Act 2010), so your right to mental health leave should be treated just like a physical illness would.<\/p>\n<p>That means if you\u2019re struggling with your mental health, there are several ways your employer should support you. They can make adjustments to your workload and schedule, for instance. If you need it, you can also take time off work for mental health (a.k.a. mental health leave).<\/p>\n<p>If you do take time off work for your mental health, your employer is required to pay you Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i-2\"><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_mental_health_disorders_entitle_you_to_take_time_off_work\"><\/span>What mental health disorders entitle you to take time off work?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Any mental health illness should be treated with the same level of empathy and seriousness as a physical health problem. Here are some examples of common mental health disorders that may cause you to request mental health leave:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Stress<\/li>\n<li>Anxiety<\/li>\n<li>Depression<\/li>\n<li>Bipolar disorder<\/li>\n<li>Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)<\/li>\n<li>Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Regardless of the specific reason, employers must treat your mental health illness like any other sickness.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-24033\" src=\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-2.jpg\" alt=\": Can you take time off work for mental health in the UK; one woman comforts another while talking about mental health in the workplace\" width=\"2125\" height=\"1416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-2.jpg 2125w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-2-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-2-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-2-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2125px) 100vw, 2125px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_can_you_take_off_work_for_your_mental_health\"><\/span><strong>How long can you take off work for <\/strong><strong>your <\/strong><strong>mental health<\/strong><strong>?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The amount of time you take off work for your mental health will vary depending on your individual health needs, but all companies must provide SSP to their employees for up to 28 weeks, including for when employees can\u2019t work due to their mental health.<\/p>\n<p>SSP is available to all employees who:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Are ill or unable to work for at least four days in a row (including non-working days).<\/li>\n<li>Earn at least \u00a3123 per week (before tax).<\/li>\n<li>Have informed their workplace about their sickness within an appropriate time, or within seven days if there\u2019s no time frame given by the employer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that if your sick leave lasts 7 days or more, you must provide your employer with a Statement of Fitness. This is a doctor\u2019s note outlining the health issues you\u2019re experiencing and your work capacity.<\/p>\n<p>If your doctor recommends taking sick leave for longer than the 28 weeks of SSP, you may need to discuss with your employer taking further time off using your annual leave.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i-3\"><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_can_you_take_off_work_for_a_mental_health_disability\"><\/span><strong>How long can you take off work for <\/strong><strong>a <\/strong><strong>mental health<\/strong><strong> disability?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>You are more entitled to sick leave if your illness is categorised as a disability. To fit this category, the disorder must:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Have a \u2018substantial adverse effect\u2019 on your life<\/li>\n<li>Last (or be expected to last) at least 12 months<\/li>\n<li>Affect your ability to perform daily activities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In such instances, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legislation.gov.uk\/ukpga\/2010\/15\/contents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Equality Act 2010<\/a> entitles you to longer periods of disability leave to manage your condition.<\/p>\n<p>The act also offers employment security: employers who don\u2019t provide ample sickness leave to disabled employees, discriminate against them, or even make them redundant are at risk of costly penalties and legal action. Therefore, if your mental illness meets the disability criteria, your employment and additional mental health leave is legally protected.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i-4\"><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_discuss_mental_health_at_work\"><\/span><strong>How to discuss mental health at work<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Even though employees are entitled to mental health leave, many don\u2019t feel comfortable talking to their bosses about their mental illness. Whether it\u2019s due to a fear of stigma or feeling the matter is too personal, not being comfortable discussing mental health at work can be a barrier to requesting leave.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-24034\" src=\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-3.jpg\" alt=\"How to discuss mental health at work; a woman comforts her employee while he opens up about his mental health.\" width=\"2125\" height=\"1419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-3.jpg 2125w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-3-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-3-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-3-1536x1026.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-3-2048x1368.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2125px) 100vw, 2125px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While it\u2019s down to the employer to <a href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/creating-a-positive-company-culture\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cultivate a workplace culture where mental health topics aren\u2019t stigmatised<\/a>, there are also things you can do individually to make discussing mental health at work easier:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Open up to the person you feel most comfortable talking to about your mental health. If you have a good relationship with your Manager or Head of Department, talk to them. If not, a discussion with HR may feel more comfortable.<\/li>\n<li>Remember you don\u2019t have to give them every piece of information surrounding your illness. If you don\u2019t want to go into personal details, you don\u2019t have to.<\/li>\n<li>Have an idea of what you\u2019d like your company to support you with. Whether you\u2019re asking for a lighter workload or time off, having a goal in mind will help assure you get the support you need.<\/li>\n<li>Remember that talking about your feelings isn\u2019t a sign of weakness. Just as you wouldn\u2019t judge someone for having a broken ankle, there is no shame in having a mental illness. In fact, you\u2019d be surprised how supportive people can be when you open up to them, and doing so may even encourage others to do the same \u2014 you never know what someone may be going through.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"i-5\"><\/span>\u00a0<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Mental_health_and_employment_rights_support_in_the_UK\"><\/span><strong>Mental health and employment rights support in the UK<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you or anyone you know needs support with mental health, at work or in general, the below resources provide help and information.<\/p>\n<h4>The NHS<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/mental-health-services\/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/nhs-services\/mental-health-services\/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health\/<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Immediate support for those going through a mental health crisis.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>Mind<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mind.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.mind.org.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>UK charity providing free resources, advice and support for those with mental health problems, as well as their friends and family.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4>ACAS<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acas.org.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.acas.org.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Free, impartial advice on workplace rights, rules and best practice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Further information on mental health support and happiness at work<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>There are plenty of ways to support mental health and workplace wellness, whether you\u2019re an employee or a CEO looking to create a healthy and positive workplace culture. Here are a few articles and guides to get you started:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/how-to-promote-wellness-in-the-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to promote wellness in the workplace<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/what-is-employee-wellbeing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is employee wellbeing and how can we improve it?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/how-to-build-an-inclusive-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to build an inclusive workplace<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/how-to-be-happy-at-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">What is work happiness?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Sources<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthassured.org\/blog\/mental-health-sick-leave\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.healthassured.org\/blog\/mental-health-sick-leave\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.unison.org.uk\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Disability-Leave-bargaining-guide-and-model-policy.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.unison.org.uk\/content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Disability-Leave-bargaining-guide-and-model-policy.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/championhealth.co.uk\/insights\/how-to-talk-about-mental-health-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/championhealth.co.uk\/insights\/how-to-talk-about-mental-health-workplace\/<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mental health problems can be just as debilitating as physical illnesses. But when it comes to requesting time off work&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":74,"featured_media":24032,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","content-type":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[78,74],"post_type_category":[],"authors":[98],"class_list":["post-24031","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-work-wellness-and-culture","tag-work-happier","tag-mental-health","authors-work-life"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.0 (Yoast SEO v27.0) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Taking Time Off Work for Mental Health in The UK | Work.Life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn about taking time off work for mental health in the UK, including how long you can take off and how to discuss mental health with your employer.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Taking Time Off Work for Mental Health in the UK\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn about taking time off work for mental health in the UK, including how long you can take off and how to discuss mental health with your employer.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Work.Life\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/workdotlife\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-09-06T07:59:56+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-10-18T11:52:32+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2125\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1418\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Work.Life\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@workdotlife\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@workdotlife\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MediaVision\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"MediaVision\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/person\/a71df22f0a0c8fcad152bd8ae4783a33\"},\"headline\":\"Taking Time Off Work for Mental Health in the UK\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-09-06T07:59:56+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-18T11:52:32+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/\"},\"wordCount\":1154,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/mental-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"work happier\",\"mental health\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Workplace wellness &amp; 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