Employee with suicidal ideations

[Anonymous]

An employee recently disclosed that they had suicidal ideations or attempted suicide….it’s unclear which. Has anyone dealt with a situation like this and have advice to offer on how best to handle this?

[Anonymous]

Contact your HR.

[Anonymous]

I would not contact HR. Instead, I would give them the contact number to the employees mental health or what not. Let them be the one to reach out if they want to, versus you disclosing to HR.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Contact your HR.

Absolutely do not do this.

[Anonymous]

Do not contact HR. Contact the EAP.

[Anonymous]

Contact HR.

[Anonymous]

Not every company has EAP, contact HR. Let them deal with it.

[Anonymous]

I had an employee with suicide ideations, I encouraged her to talk to EAP. She ended up going on STD and then resigning before coming back (job wasn’t a good fit for her). She alluded to some intensive mental health help, I don’t know if it was inpatient or something else but I know she’s doing much better now (she keeps loosely in touch with me).

[Anonymous]

For people saying not to contact HR, why?
(help me understand)

[Anonymous]

Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

Please do not send this letter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For people saying not to contact HR, why?
(help me understand)

+1

Wouldn't HR be trained how to handle such matters ?

[Anonymous]

You need to direct them to whatever mental health resources you have and then remind them that they have sick leave they can take to deal with this.

You may need to get HR involved a some point... and may ask them hypothetically what your responsibilities are should you receive this type of information?

[Anonymous]

OP: You need to contact HR first. HR will let you know how to proceed (most likely HR will handle the matter).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dear Employee-
We met this week where you shared some health issues you were dealing with. I following up with a recap of our conversation and have included links to information and resources.

As an employee of Widgets, Inc, you are eligible to seek the services of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which helps employees deal with personal issues that might adversely impact their work performance, health and/or well-being. Here is the info…

If there is a need for accommodations in the workplace, you can reach out to HR Dept as they may be able to provide supports on reasonable accommodations in the workplace if that was needed to address your health concerns.

You may also want to reach out to HR Dept to discuss your leave options. Here is the link to information regarding your disability benefits here at Widget, Inc: If you have any questions, you may contact the Benefits & Leave Office at 555-5555.

You shared you were in the process of working with health care providers to support your personal health concerns.

Please keep me in the loop about your next steps and supports you might need. I do hope you feel better.

Regards,
Molly
Molly Manager

Please do not send this letter.

Why not? Explain what your role is and what’s wrong with it. It’s what HR advised me to send after a similar conversation with an employee. I work in a large public sector organization with a $3B budget.