In addition to workplace programs to prevent mental health problems and to intervene when employees show signs of struggling, it is also important for organizations to provide return-to-work and stay-at-work accommodations for employees experiencing mental ill-health. This article discusses the importance of accommodations and reviews existing research findings in the context of workplace mental health programming.

Getting Rid of Stupid Stuff was developed as an intervention to address burdensome and unncessary work tasks and processes (e.g., electronic health record tasks) that contribute to burnout in physicians and other clinicians. Although the work of academics differs from that of clinicians, this form of department-level intervention could also be considered to reduce workload in academia.

This podcast episode discuses some of the key drivers leading to faculty burnout, such as weak workplace culture that contributes to a perception of an unsupportive work environment . They offer strategies for training deans and department chairs to be more effective at managing the issue.

Universities depend on the people they employ in order to function, and it is unavoidable that people will experience illness whether for physical or mental health reasons. Salary paid to employees who are away from work needs to be factored into university budgets such that funds are available to pay replacement staff.

A distress postcard with the university numbers on who to call for assistance on matters related to mental health crises can be distributed throughout the university.

The concept for an HR checklist is for HR staff to have a procedure to follow when contacted by faculty or staff who are ill or experiencing a major life event that is causing distress.

Faculty and staff may not be aware that unions can help navigate the process of taking leave of absence or requesting accommodations from the university.

This toolkit provides a framework to identify and develop accommodations using strategies that 1) safely support productivity for employees with mental health issues who are at work or returning to work and 2) engage employees in solutions related to performance and well-being.

Evidence based programs created by academics in the form of seminars, tailored specifically to address mental health in academia. They have identified five domains of excellence in cultivating a health workplace in an academic setting including mental health literacy, fighting stigma, peer networks, dept. committees, and skills training.

Wellbeing and mental health resources centralized in one, easy to find, location both digitally and in print.

Clearing Your Plate is an idea for an individual-level intervention that academics can consider to help manage their workload.

It is important for all employees, including academics, to know the rights that they are entitled to and the standards that their employer must adhere to as set out by collective agreements, provincial and territorial employment standards (e.g., Ontario's Employment Standards Act), and federal legislation such as the Canadian Human Rights Act. As an employee with a mental health problem, knowing your rights can help you access support (e.g., job accommodations, sick days, leave of absences), protect you from discrimination, and ensure your privacy. Unionized employees can get support understanding their rights by contacting union representatives who are well versed in employment legislation and collective agreements with the employer.

Employees can use the information in this toolkit to request a plan or accommodation to address workplace issues. Ideas include considering asking for an accommodation and discussing the various possibilities based on your individual needs with your dept. head or the university's HR/wellness center.

A guide specifically on how to address burnout and the strategies to prevent it in the workplace.

A step by step guide outlining how to recognize, engage and support a colleague who is struggling with mental health issues. Also provides urgent and non urgent phone numbers to call for assistance and help.

A dedicated workplace mental health hub on Carleton's website, providing guidance on how to support colleagues, and provides mental health online support resources links, both what is available at Carleton and general mental health resources.