'Employers should raise awareness of mental health issues among staff and management to eliminate stigma and discrimination'
Employers in Hong Kong are being told to provide "reasonable accommodation" for employees with mental illness amid prevailing incidents of discrimination against them.
Dr. Ferrick Chu Chung-man], Executive Director (Operations) of Hong Kong's Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), says workers with mental illness are protected under the Disability Discrimination Ordinance (DDO).
"Employers must not treat employees less favourably on the ground of their disabilities, including refusing to hire them, dismissing them, or denying their training and development opportunities," the director said in a statement.
"Reasonable accommodation should be provided unless doing so would impose unjustifiable hardship on the employers."
Mental health issues are prevalent in Hong Kong, with AXA's Mind Health Report earlier this year showing that 23% of employees had taken sick leave because of them.
EOC's report in 2023 also showed that around 80% of employed persons with mental illness shared that discrimination against them was "very prevalent or quite prevalent."
"The public still holds negative labels and stereotypical views about mental illness," said Linda Lam Mei-sau, Chairperson of the EOC, in a statement.
New guide to support workers
To help employers, the EOC published a new support guide on how organisations can better support employees with mental health conditions.
"To eliminate such discrimination and prejudice, the EOC has launched the guide to help employers and employees understand the challenges faced by employees with mental health conditions, learn effective skills for communication with them, and provide appropriate support to them," Lam said.
The guide explains how the DDO protects employees with mental illnesses from discrimination and harassment. It also provides a range of recommendations for employers to enhance their understanding and communication with employees with mental health conditions.
The guide also explains the concept of inherent job requirements and reasonable accommodation, as well as provides examples of how employers can support employees, according to the EOC.
"Employers play a crucial role in supporting employees with mental health conditions," said Doris Tsui Ue-ting, Head (Policy, Research and Training) of the EOC, in a statement.
"Maintaining good communication between employers and employees not only fosters mutual understanding, but also allows employers to carefully balance accommodation needs with practicality based on individual circumstances and capabilities."
According to Tsui, maintaining good communication also helps establish effective and suitable work patterns and arrangements.
"Additionally, employers should raise awareness of mental health issues among staff and management to eliminate stigma and discrimination, making it easier for persons with mental health conditions to integrate into the workplace," she said.
