Recovery at work resource kit

Key information

• Small changes at work can make a big difference.  
• Having the support of a workplace leader is crucial to successful recovery at work.
• Recovery at work benefits both employees and the business, and it’s also a legal obligation.

Benefits of supporting recovery at work

Supporting recovery at work helps to create a workplace where people feel valued and supported. As a business leader, you'll be able to retain experienced, skilled, and valuable workers. For employees, they'll be able to improve recovery time, maintain social and workplace connections, and reduce the chance of other long-term effects.

Tips to support recovery at work 

Recovery in the workplace is not always a simple or quick fix, and it's important to understand that this process will look different for everyone. For some, this might look like recovery from mental ill-health. For others, it may involved learning to manage or live with ongoing mental health challenges. 

Throughout the process, make sure you keep working together with your employee to review and make adjustments where they're needed.

Start a conversation with your employees

An employee might tell you that they're finding it hard to cope, or you may have picked up on signs that something isn't quite right.  

It’s important to start by having a confidential conversation with your employee to see what support they need. This might include some small changes to the way they work, encouraging them to speak with their GP, or connecting them with support services like Beyond Blue or Lifeline.  

Having the support of a workplace leader is important to successful recovery at work for the individual and their team.  

Mental health is a continuous cycle. Just like your physical health, someone can fluctuate between mental health and ill-health depending on a range of factors. Helping your employees as they recover at work will ensure they feel supported on their journey to recovery.

Our leader's resource kit has helpful information on how to talk about mental health in the workplace.

Some tools to get you talking are available from R U OK? and Beyond Blue:

• How to ask R U OK? in the workplace
• How to talk to someone you’re worried about at work

Develop a support plan

Developing a plan with your employee can assist to support their recovery at work in a respectful way, providing the right supports at the right time, and ensures the plan works for everyone. 

The plan should consider:

• advice from the treating doctor, or health care provider/team
• adjustments and strategies that can be put in place to support recovery (for example, changes to duties or flexible work hours to continue treatment) 
• how to make adjustments so there is minimal changes to regular roles and responsibilities to help maintain confidence in performance. This will also provide opportunity for continued skill development. 
• an agreed approach to communicate the plan to other team members
• setting a schedule to continually review and adjust the plan as needed
• how colleagues can support the plan 
• any impacts the plan may have on the workload of colleagues.

Remember that recovery is not a straightforward journey. Setbacks in the recovery process are common and should be expected as circumstances change. As part of your support plan it's important to continually review and adjust as needed to ensure it stays effective.

Make changes 

Changes to the type of work or the shifts an employee works can have a positive impact on their recovery. These changes can be temporary and should be accommodated to a reasonable level.

Changes might include:

• adjusting workload or daily duties
• more flexible work schedules (for example, introducing hybrid working arrangements or adjusting work hours) 
• devices or apps (for example, noise cancelling headphones, or apps to help organise or plan)
• using tools to help manage communication and work activities (for example, use of 'do not disturb' or 'focus' times) 
• allowing employees to work in a different workspace area or location that better supports their needs (for example, a quieter area) 
• providing extra support to employees through regular check-ins
• structured support from a colleague
• allowing employees to access leave.

Once these changes are made, it's important to check in with your employee regularly and make adjustments to the plan as needed.

Stay connected 

Your employee may need to take leave or time away from work to assist in their recovery. It's important to ensure they feel valued and connected to the team during this period.  
 
Regularly connect with your employee and ask if they would be comfortable for other team members to check in too. Maintaining social connections is vital for good mental health and recovery.  

Some resources you can use to support recovery at work:

• Beyond Blue has more information on how to support recovery at work
• Download a return to work plan template 
• See the Mental Health Coordinating Council's Recovery oriented language guide
• More information and resources from Return To Work

Next steps

Supporting your staff to recover while at work is only one part of a mentally healthy workplace. Find out more or get free one on one support below. 

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