Bipolar is classified as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010, meaning employers are not allowed to discriminate against people with the condition.
Employers have a legal obligation to make reasonable adjustments in order to enable someone to work. This applies to all workers, including trainees, apprentices, contract workers and business partners.
Workplace training and support
What are reasonable adjustments?
For someone with bipolar or someone who is supporting a loved one with bipolar, reasonable adjustments are the changes an employer can make to remove or reduce a disadvantage related to their disability or caring responsibilities.
An employer does not have to make adjustments that they may be deemed are unreasonable. However, they should still aim to find other ways to support someone.
Who puts reasonable adjustments in place?
In the workplace, an employee who is living bipolar and their employer can work together to suggest what reasonable adjustments might help.
Employers need to listen and take the time to understand any requests. If necessary, both employer and employee can seek medical advice or set up an occupational health assessment.
Any reasonable adjustments that are agreed need to be confirmed in writing.
When can reasonable adjustments be put into place?
These adjustments can be put into place at any time - either when someone starts a new job or role, or after they’ve been there for a while.
Reasonable adjustments vary from individual to individual, from workplace to workplace and from role to role. They may also need to be revised at different times, dependent on the changes to your health and work life.
It’s important for reasonable adjustments to be regularly reviewed, and for what’s been asked for and agreed upon to be put in place to be recorded.
Why are meaningful reasonable adjustments important?
Creating the right culture and conditions in the workplace allows staff to reach their full potential and use their talents and resources to maximise efficiency.
This doesn’t only benefit individuals with bipolar, but the wider company culture and society in general.
Are reasonable adjustments difficult to put in place?
No. Many of the adjustments that help to make bipolar easier to manage in the workplace aren’t expensive or difficult to implement.
They are often no different to flexible working requests offered to protected groups, such as parents and carers.
Possible reasonable adjustments for people with bipolar
Guilt-free time off
Allowing employees with bipolar to take one or two days off sick, or give short-term-notice for annual leave, would allow them to focus on their self-care and give them the time to put prevention plans in place when they first notice early symptoms.
This can help to nip an episode in the bud and avoid longer-term sick leave.
Flexible work schedule
If they’ve been struggling to regulate their sleep patterns (which may be down to their medication, seasonal changes or because they are experiencing an episode), employees with bipolar may benefit from starting work an hour or two later.
Some employees with bipolar may also prefer to avoid scheduling in early morning and/or back-to-back meetings as this can cause stress and worsen symptoms.
Flexible work environment
At times, people with bipolar may find certain environments too stimulating or overwhelming – the bright lights or too much noise in an office, for example, may be distressing for people or exacerbate symptoms for when they’re hypomanic.
Being able to work from home temporarily or in a quiet area with adjusted lighting can avoid worsening episodes.
During winter, or when someone’s experiencing symptoms of low mood, they might find it helpful to position a source of light, such as SAD lamp of a a light box on their desk.
Plan ahead
Working together to make a plan, known as an ‘advance statement’, can help both employees and employers spot early warning signs of a potential episode and take proactive steps to mitigate them. For example, this may include temporarily taking on less work or reducing caffeine intake.
An advance statement can also provide employers with guidance on how to properly support someone when they’re experiencing an episode, with the wishes of the employee with bipolar being considered.
Time out for medical appointments
Employees with bipolar may need regular medical appointments for blood tests, health check-ups, medication reviews and therapy sessions. It is essential to support someone to have the time off they need to help them stay well, even if this may not be ‘the done thing’.
Regular check-ins
It’s important for someone with bipolar to know who they can speak to if they need extra support, have any concerns or need time off for appointments or sick-leave.
Regular wellbeing check-ins with a trusted manager – either temporarily or long-term – can be a helpful way to set up a clear communication pathway.
Post-recovery support
Employees returning to work after a bipolar episode will need to be given the space and time to integrate back into the workplace until they’re fully up to speed. A phased return to work is often helpful.
Depending on the severity and length of the episode, they may also need support to retrain to regain lost skills and confidence.
Setting clear objectives
Having a plan in place, outlining role boundaries and responsibilities so an employee understands their role will reduce confusion and anxiety and the risk of someone taking on excessive additional responsibilities whilst hypomanic.
Avoiding triggers
It’s vital for the employee and employer to work together to manage an individual’s known triggers for bipolar symptoms – shift work or travel that disrupts sleep, for example.
Taking on too many projects at once can also be a trigger for some people with the condition. Having ongoing conversations about these triggers is key.
How can Bipolar UK help?
Bipolar UK offers a range of training and support options for employees and organisations, which can include tailored advice around creating Advance Statements and implementing meaningful reasonable adjustments.
Find Bipolar UK’s training options here
To book or ask about our online training and support, please email us at [email protected]
Anyone affected by bipolar can use our free support services here