Guidance on managing regular sick leave for anxiety or stress, respecting employee confidentiality and rights.

How does one deal with an employee who is regularly booked off for anxiety or stress related reasons?

The most common reasons for sick leave are quite easy to recognise. For example, the employee got injured and has to be hospitalised or the employee has a caught the flu or some other kind of virus. However, psychological reasons such as anxiety and stress related reasons are more subtle and not easy to recognise.

How should an employer deal with such situations?

In general, it would be treated as any other absence due to illness. The employee would for example be entitled to paid sick leave if they were too ill to work.

However, there may be some underlying cause that is treatable. That cause may be work related.

Information about the medical condition is of course confidential. However, to better understand the condition, the employer may ask the employee’s consent for the psychologist or psychiatrist to disclose relevant details. If the employee is reluctant, the employer should explain that granting consent may enable better understanding and support.

These matters tend to be sensitive and controversial, so employers are advised to seek legal advice where appropriate.

For further assistance, contact us at https://labourwise.co.za/contact-us