In the article, “Worker Mental Health Problems Spike Due to COVID’s Ongoing Effects, Experts Say” that published on Friday, March 5, the Orlando Business Journal looks at how the pandemic is affecting the region’s mental health service providers and local businesses.

Managing Partner Frank Sheppard offered his thoughts on what employers should do from a legal perspective when a worker experiences a mental health crisis.

“From a legal perspective, an employer needs to treat a mental health illness or crisis just as any other medical crisis. If an individual has a crisis or needs time off, then they’re entitled to time off just as any person with a physical illness would be under the employer’s policies regarding sick leave or FMLA. If someone has the flu or Covid-19, employers grant time off. The same goes for an employee who is struggling with mental health. In addition, a mental illness also can be considered or regarded as a disability, and an employee who has a mental health illness is entitled to protections and accommodations, just like any employee with a physical disability, under the ADA.”

Read more (subscription may be required to access the full article)