It's all about adding another branch to your tree of support

10 December 2019 1043

Society in general is moving towards being more open regarding mental health, this is evident from all the campaigns that are being led to de-stigmatise mental health. This is however not always the case in the workplace. Previously we took cognisance of the fact that the symptoms of mental illnesses are intangible and not easily recognised, but once it becomes known to both the employee and employer it must be dealt with accordingly.

Like discussed in my previous blog, the duty to disclose mental illness rests on the employee. In this blog we will look at the instance where an employee was dismissed  for misconduct in circumstances where the employer was aware of the said employee’s manic depression state, and which state apparently led to his commission of the alleged misconduct.

In the case of Jansen v Legal Aid South Africa (2018) the employee (Jansen)  had been employed as a Paralegal at Legal Aid South Africa from 2007 until 2014 when he was summarily dismissed. During 2010, the Applicant was diagnosed with major depression and received several Medical Certificates confirming his diagnosis. He disclosed his condition to the Employer and was enrolled in the Employer’s wellness program. During 2012, the Applicant was going through a divorce. This put a strain on his mental health and his condition deteriorated. This was further exacerbated when his Line Manager represented his wife in the divorce proceedings. A fact he only became aware of at the Line Manager’s appearance in Divorce Court.

Jansen repeatedly informed his Employer of his poor emotional and mental condition which was worsening. A Clinical Psychologist advised the Employer that this issue required urgent attention. The Employer ignored these advices about Jansen’s deteriorating condition. During this period, other disputes had arisen between Jansen and the Employer relating to misconduct which aggravated his mental condition.

On 7 November 2013 and whilst Jansen was on sick leave, his Line Manager attended to his residence and issued him with a charge sheet for misconduct. Notably, this was an enquiry into misconduct and not incapacity.

At the disciplinary proceedings, Jansen raised the defence that he suffered from a mental condition. The Employer declined to consider this, and the Chairperson failed to acknowledge the Reports and Medical Certificates submitted by Medical Practitioners in support of this contention. Jansen was found guilty of the charges against him and summarily dismissed.

The termination of his employment together with the additional strain of financial loss of income further exacerbated Jansen’s mental health. Due to this his personal circumstances deteriorated even further. Jansen then proceeded to institute a claim against his erstwhile Employer for, amongst other things, an automatically unfair dismissal in the Labour Court in Cape Town.

The Labour Court held that at all relevant times the Employer was aware that Jansen was suffering from a mental condition and failed to consider the Applicant’s mental state when he perpetrated the misconduct. The Court held that the true reason for the dismissal was in fact Jansen’s mental condition and not his alleged misconduct. Further, the Court found that the Employer was required to take steps to reasonably accommodate Jansen. It was held that what the Employer was required to do was to institute an incapacity enquiry instead of conducting a disciplinary enquiry for misconduct.

The Labour Court awarded Jansen retrospective reinstatement which resulted in him receiving five years of back pay. Furthermore, he also received six months remuneration as a form of compensation for the distress suffered by him caused by the Employer’s actions.

This case illustrates the importance of taking mental health in the workplace serious. Whilst the employees do their part to ensure that they get the medical assistance they might need, the employers should create a culture of openness and understanding that fosters a safe place for disclosure.  Employees must be reassured that they will not suffer negative consequences but instead will be supported and assisted. Employers should consider having innovative policies and processes in place in how they will address such conditions and adopt a holistic approach.

Being able to discuss matters like these freely with fellow employees and your employers is only beneficial for you and your mental health at the end of the day. There’s nothing better than knowing that you are not judged based on your mental health, instead you just added another branch of support to your tree of life.

References:

Jansen v Legal Aid South Africa (2018) 39 ILJ 2024 (LC) (16 May 2018)

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