{"id":33328,"date":"2025-05-08T12:23:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T12:23:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/work.life\/?p=33328"},"modified":"2025-05-08T12:23:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-08T12:23:13","slug":"mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Your rights when taking time off for mental wellbeing"},"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-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#The_rising_need_for_mental_health_support_in_UK_workplaces\" >The rising need for mental health support in UK workplaces<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#Your_legal_rights_when_taking_time_off_for_mental_health\" >Your legal rights when taking time off for mental health<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#Protection_from_discrimination\" >Protection from discrimination<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#Entitlement_to_reasonable_adjustments\" >Entitlement to reasonable adjustments<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#Sick_leave_and_pay_entitlements\" >Sick leave and pay entitlements<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#How_to_approach_taking_time_off_for_mental_health\" >How to approach taking time off for mental health<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-5' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#Discussing_your_needs_with_your_employer\" >Discussing your needs with your employer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#Getting_medical_support\" >Getting medical support<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-5'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#Returning_to_work\" >Returning to work<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#Supporting_colleagues_taking_mental_health_leave\" >Supporting colleagues taking mental health leave<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#Prioritising_your_mental_health\" >Prioritising your mental health<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_rising_need_for_mental_health_support_in_UK_workplaces\"><\/span><b>The rising need for mental health support in UK workplaces<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/workdotlife_mentalhealthawarenessweek2025-activity-7325473984395829249-CUrz?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_desktop&amp;rcm=ACoAAC2yaJUBvFSOr4bvgcwXEkwbS-95BOBEu8k\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental Health Awareness Week<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (12-18 May 2025) focuses on &#8220;community&#8221; this year, highlighting how supportive environments are crucial for wellbeing. But what happens when you need to step away from your workplace community to prioritise your mental health?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recent statistics show this is increasingly common:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">19% of British workers have taken time off work due to their mental health (Statista, 2024)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">875,000 workers suffered from work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2022\/23, resulting in 17.1 million working days lost (Mental Health Foundation, 2024)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">63% of UK employees now show symptoms of burnout like exhaustion and disengagement, up from 51% two years ago (MHFA England, 2024)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With mental health absences increasing, particularly among younger workers, understanding your rights has never been more important.<\/span><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Your_legal_rights_when_taking_time_off_for_mental_health\"><\/span><b>Your legal rights when taking time off for mental health<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental health conditions that substantially affect your daily life are protected under the Equality Act 2010. Here&#8217;s what this means for you:<\/span><\/p>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Protection_from_discrimination\"><\/span><b>Protection from discrimination<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your mental health condition qualifies as a disability under the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/equality-act-2010-guidance\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Equality Act,<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> your employer cannot:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Treat you unfavourably because of your condition<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dismiss you without considering reasonable adjustments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Subject you to harassment or victimisation related to your condition<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Entitlement_to_reasonable_adjustments\"><\/span><b>Entitlement to reasonable adjustments<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Employers must make reasonable adjustments to support employees with mental health conditions. These might include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flexible working<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> hours or location<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Time off for medical appointments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adjustments to workload or responsibilities<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Providing a quiet workspace<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sick_leave_and_pay_entitlements\"><\/span><b>Sick leave and pay entitlements<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When taking time off for mental health:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;re entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for mental health reasons, just as you would be for physical illness<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SSP is payable for up to 28 weeks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll need a fit note from your GP if you&#8217;re off work for more than 7 days<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many employers offer occupational sick pay schemes that are more generous than SSP<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_approach_taking_time_off_for_mental_health\"><\/span><b>How to approach taking time off for mental health<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Discussing_your_needs_with_your_employer\"><\/span><b>Discussing your needs with your employer<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there&#8217;s no legal obligation to disclose a mental health condition, doing so can help ensure you receive appropriate support:<\/span><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Plan the conversation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Choose a private setting and consider what you want to share<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Focus on work impact<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; Explain how your mental health affects your work<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Be specific about needs <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Request clear adjustments that would help you<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Document the discussion <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; Follow up in writing about what was agreed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Getting_medical_support\"><\/span><b>Getting medical support<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your GP can:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provide a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/fit-note\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fit note<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (previously called a sick note)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recommend adjustments to your work<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Refer you to specialist mental health services<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Advise on medication or therapeutic options<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h5><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Returning_to_work\"><\/span><b>Returning to work<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h5>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you&#8217;re ready to return:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider a phased return if appropriate<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Request a return-to-work meeting to discuss any ongoing support needs<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be aware that you can request further reasonable adjustments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Know that your employer should maintain confidentiality about your health<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Supporting_colleagues_taking_mental_health_leave\"><\/span><b>Supporting colleagues taking mental health leave<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Creating a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/why-gen-z-needs-a-work-community-more-than-ever\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supportive community<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> means:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Respecting privacy and confidentiality<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Maintaining appropriate contact during absence<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoiding pressuring colleagues to return before they&#8217;re ready<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Welcoming them back without judgment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-33329 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/240626_work.life-pride_141-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/240626_work.life-pride_141-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/240626_work.life-pride_141-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/240626_work.life-pride_141-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/240626_work.life-pride_141-1620x1080.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Prioritising_your_mental_health\"><\/span><b>Prioritising your mental health<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking time off for mental health is not a sign of weakness, it&#8217;s a necessary step toward recovery and long-term wellbeing. This Mental Health Awareness Week, remember that you have legal protections and rights when you need to prioritise your mental health.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By understanding these rights and approaching conversations with employers constructively, you can ensure you get the support you need while protecting your position at work.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re struggling with your mental health at work, remember you&#8217;re not alone. For more information on taking time off for mental health in the UK, read our comprehensive guide: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/taking-time-off-work-for-mental-health-in-the-uk\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking Time Off Work for Mental Health in the UK<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking for a workspace that prioritises wellbeing? <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/work.life\/book-a-tour\/\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Book a tour<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of your nearest Work.Life location today.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additional resources:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mentalhealth.org.uk\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental Health Foundation<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mind.org.uk\/workplace\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mind &#8211; Mental Health at Work<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acas.org.uk\/mental-health-resources\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ACAS &#8211; Mental Health Resources<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The rising need for mental health support in UK workplaces Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May 2025) focuses on &#8220;community&#8221;&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":32110,"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":[],"post_type_category":[],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-33328","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-work-wellness-and-culture"],"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 UK Rights Explained - Work.Life<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, learn about your workplace rights when taking time off for mental health in the UK.\" \/>\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\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Your rights when taking time off for mental wellbeing\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, learn about your workplace rights when taking time off for mental health in the UK.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-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=\"2025-05-08T12:23:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2048\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1365\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Emily\" \/>\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=\"Emily\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Emily\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/person\/6448318b499dbba1ef84678a1c22dd29\"},\"headline\":\"Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Your rights when taking time off for mental wellbeing\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-08T12:23:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/\"},\"wordCount\":664,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Workplace wellness &amp; culture\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/\",\"name\":\"Taking Time Off Work for Mental Health UK Rights Explained - Work.Life\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-05-08T12:23:13+00:00\",\"description\":\"This Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, learn about your workplace rights when taking time off for mental health in the UK.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg\",\"width\":2048,\"height\":1365},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Your rights when taking time off for mental wellbeing\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/\",\"name\":\"Work.Life\",\"description\":\"Because Life&#039;s Too Short\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Work.Life\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/bd88c8f2-2d6a-43e2-b138-3cad6fa09345-1620298796579.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/bd88c8f2-2d6a-43e2-b138-3cad6fa09345-1620298796579.png\",\"width\":4416,\"height\":569,\"caption\":\"Work.Life\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/workdotlife\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/workdotlife\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/workdotlife\/\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/workdotlife\/\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/person\/6448318b499dbba1ef84678a1c22dd29\",\"name\":\"Emily\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-user-avatar\/deprecated\/wp-user-avatar\/images\/wpua-96x96.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-user-avatar\/deprecated\/wp-user-avatar\/images\/wpua-96x96.png\",\"caption\":\"Emily\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/author\/emily-jwork-life\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Taking Time Off Work for Mental Health UK Rights Explained - Work.Life","description":"This Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, learn about your workplace rights when taking time off for mental health in the UK.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Your rights when taking time off for mental wellbeing","og_description":"This Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, learn about your workplace rights when taking time off for mental health in the UK.","og_url":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/","og_site_name":"Work.Life","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/workdotlife\/","article_published_time":"2025-05-08T12:23:13+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2048,"height":1365,"url":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Emily","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@workdotlife","twitter_site":"@workdotlife","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Emily","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/"},"author":{"name":"Emily","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/person\/6448318b499dbba1ef84678a1c22dd29"},"headline":"Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Your rights when taking time off for mental wellbeing","datePublished":"2025-05-08T12:23:13+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/"},"wordCount":664,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg","articleSection":["Workplace wellness &amp; culture"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/","url":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/","name":"Taking Time Off Work for Mental Health UK Rights Explained - Work.Life","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg","datePublished":"2025-05-08T12:23:13+00:00","description":"This Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, learn about your workplace rights when taking time off for mental health in the UK.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Typewriter-Building-with-people-35-1.jpg","width":2048,"height":1365},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/mental-health-awareness-week-2025-time-off-work-rights-uk\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/work.life\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Mental Health Awareness Week 2025: Your rights when taking time off for mental wellbeing"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#website","url":"https:\/\/work.life\/","name":"Work.Life","description":"Because Life&#039;s Too Short","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/work.life\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#organization","name":"Work.Life","url":"https:\/\/work.life\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/bd88c8f2-2d6a-43e2-b138-3cad6fa09345-1620298796579.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/bd88c8f2-2d6a-43e2-b138-3cad6fa09345-1620298796579.png","width":4416,"height":569,"caption":"Work.Life"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/workdotlife\/","https:\/\/x.com\/workdotlife","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/workdotlife\/","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/workdotlife\/"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/person\/6448318b499dbba1ef84678a1c22dd29","name":"Emily","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/work.life\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-user-avatar\/deprecated\/wp-user-avatar\/images\/wpua-96x96.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-user-avatar\/deprecated\/wp-user-avatar\/images\/wpua-96x96.png","caption":"Emily"},"url":"https:\/\/work.life\/blog\/author\/emily-jwork-life\/"}]}},"modified_by":"Emily","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33328","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/82"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33328"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33328\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33330,"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33328\/revisions\/33330"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33328"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33328"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33328"},{"taxonomy":"post_type_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_type_category?post=33328"},{"taxonomy":"authors","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/work.life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/authors?post=33328"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}