Employers may notice that some employees seem less productive and reliable than usual.  These individuals may be suffering from clinical depression.

At any given time one employee in 20 is experiencing depression.  

Depression results in more days in bed than other ailments such as ulcers, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis, according to a recent study published by the Rand Corporation.

Depression affects 19 million adults (ages 25-44) every year - during the most productive times of their lives. While it is not an employer’s job to diagnose depression, offering understanding and guidance may help an employee get the needed treatment.

Supervisors can take several steps:

• Learn more about depression and identify sources of help.
• Recognize when an employee shows signs of a problem affecting work performance which may be related to depression.
• Discuss changes in work performance - i.e. coming to work late, not meeting performance objectives, absenteeism, etc. 
• Do not try to diagnose the problem but recommend that an employee seek professional consultation from an EAP counselor or health professional if personal issues are affecting work. 
• Reassure the employee that discussions with EAP, mental health or health care professionals will be confidential.
• Reassure the employee that their job is not in jeopardy for seeking out these services but that they will be expected to meet job performance expectations.
• Recognize that a depressed employee may initially need some flexibility in their work schedule to start treatment.  Find out your company’s policy by contacting your human resources department.
• Remember 80-90% of individuals who follow up on treatment can be helped in a matter of weeks without missing much time from work.

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