Mental Health Discrimination at Work: Common Examples

Mental health discrimination can occur when an employer rejects a qualified applicant, passes over an employee for promotion, or takes away responsibilities because of a disclosed mental health condition rather than evaluating their ability to do the job. For example, a manager might assume that someone with depression cannot handle a leadership role, even though the employee meets the role’s requirements and has performed well.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating unequal treatment in hiring or promotion.

Repeated jokes about a coworker’s anxiety, insulting comments about therapy, or pressure to explain a diagnosis to colleagues can create a hostile work environment. A supervisor may also act inappropriately by sharing an employee’s private medical information with coworkers who do not need it to carry out their duties.

Check the product’s listed specifications when evaluating harassment and breaches of privacy.

Discrimination may include refusing to consider a reasonable accommodation because a condition is psychological rather than physical, or punishing an employee for requesting one. Another example is applying attendance or leave rules more harshly to someone after learning they need treatment, instead of considering the protections and workplace policies that apply to their situation.

Write down what happened, when it happened, who was involved, and how you were treated compared with others; keep relevant emails and review your employer’s reporting and accommodation procedures. You can raise the issue with HR, a designated manager, or an employment attorney, while making room for supportive routines outside work—our Move Where Your Mind Can Breathe – Nature Workouts for Mental Health eBook and our guide to gentle outdoor movement are separate from your workplace rights and reporting options.