Whether you’re looking for a job or already have one, it’s good to know your rights and the law.
 
Employers want good workers, and they recognize that good workers may have health issues, whether these are physical or mental health issues.

That information is personal, and employers cannot ask you about your mental health, notes Bob Jollota, an employment coordinator with the LakeCity Employment Services Association in Dartmouth.

LakeCity is a non-profit agency that helps people who have experienced difficulties with their mental health.

“The standard is the same as asking someone about their sexual orientation or their religion. No one can ask for this kind of information in an interview or use it as hiring criteria,” says Bob.

In many cases, he notes, an employer would not know a person had a mental health issue. However, in some cases a person will share this information, perhaps because they need what is called an “accommodation” from the employer to maintain their health. 

By law, an employer is required to make accommodation as long as they are not too expensive. For employees with a mental health issue, an accommodation could include flexible hours, a quieter work area, and time for appointments.

Sometimes of course, our health gets worse. Even then, under the law, employers can’t discriminate, says Bob. “The employer should try to accommodate the worker to get the required treatment and return to their job when able.”
 

Whether you’re looking for a job or already have one, it’s good to know your rights and the law.
 
Employers want good workers, and they recognize that good workers may have health issues, whether these are physical or mental health issues.

That information is personal, and employers cannot ask you about your mental health, notes Bob Jollota, an employment coordinator with the LakeCity Employment Services Association in Dartmouth.

LakeCity is a non-profit agency that helps people who have experienced difficulties with their mental health.

“The standard is the same as asking someone about their sexual orientation or their religion. No one can ask for this kind of information in an interview or use it as hiring criteria,” says Bob.

In many cases, he notes, an employer would not know a person had a mental health issue. However, in some cases a person will share this information, perhaps because they need what is called an “accommodation” from the employer to maintain their health. 

By law, an employer is required to make accommodation as long as they are not too expensive. For employees with a mental health issue, an accommodation could include flexible hours, a quieter work area, and time for appointments.

Sometimes of course, our health gets worse. Even then, under the law, employers can’t discriminate, says Bob. “The employer should try to accommodate the worker to get the required treatment and return to their job when able.”