Managing Mental Health in the Workplace

Recent developments in work health and safety regulations have emphasised the need for organisations to proactively identify psychosocial hazards and manage the corresponding risks, so far as is reasonably practicable.

At any given time up to 1 in 5 employees are likely to be experiencing a mental health condition, and such experience of mental ill health is likely to have an appreciable impact on that individual’s ability to productively engage with work.

It is imperative that your HR team understands the challenges that mental health conditions can bring and your rights and obligations in respect to employee mental health as an employer. Adopting a proactive approach will support employees to remain engaged with work through access to practical workplace supports – which can lead to excellent outcomes for individuals as well as the broader working environment and the organisation.

This training course covers:

  • Obligations under work health and safety regulations to identify psychosocial hazards
  • Employers’ rights and obligations in respect to employees with known or suspected mental health conditions
  • The definition of ‘good’ mental health
  • How mental health issues may manifest in the workplace
  • How to identify mental health “red flags”
  • How to start the conversation with an employee regarding mental health
  • How to provide support to employees with known mental health issues
  • How to encourage safe work practices to support mental health
  • Actions the business can take if an employee does not have capacity for work or is not meeting performance expectations, whilst minimising legal risks

Training Course Duration

3 hours

Learning Outcomes

After this training course participants should be able to:

  • Explain the obligation on employers to identify psychosocial hazards
  • Identify mental health “red flags” and be able to start the conversation with an employee regarding mental health
  • Explain employers’ rights and obligations to employees with known or suspected mental health conditions
  • Explain how to avoid unlawful discrimination with regards to employees with known or suspected mental health conditions
  • Discuss with and support middle managers on how to manage employees with mental health issues
  • Develop an action plan for employees with known or suspected mental health conditions
  • Discuss actions an employer can take if an employee does not have capacity for work or is not meeting performance expectations, whilst minimising legal risks
  • Develop a plan to promote a mentally healthy workplace, support options and resources

Training Delivery

Please note, this training is developed and delivered by HR Legal and occupational therapists/organisational psychologists. Training provides a unique learning experience for HR professionals and managers within your organisation.

We use handouts, case studies and allow time for questions and problem solving to ensure participants gain practical knowledge.


We do not offer this training course as a public offering. If you would like to enquire about running this training in-house for your organisation of a work team, please fill in the private courses form.

Enquire about training at your office