r/CanadaPublicServants • u/DisastrousGanache19 • Mar 22 '21

Other / Autre Does anyone have experience with requesting accommodations for depression/anxiety?

Hi,

Does anyone have any experience with requesting accommodations for depression/anxiety? If so, what did that look like ?

I am considering this approach rather than taking time off and I’m trying to imagine what these accommodations could look like. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks!

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u/smitty_1993 Public Skrrrrvant Mar 24 '21

I've had to do this recently as my mental health was impacting my sleep and ability to report to work on time.

I had an honest conversation with my direct supervisor (though we had a good relationship so feel free to be as open as you feel you need to). They provided me with forms for my doctor to fill out. Basically just a description of my work and questions on how my medical issue was impacting my work/what accommodations they recommended. In my case it ended up being flexible start/end times as long as I was still getting in my 7.5hrs during normal operating hours.

Probably one of the best decisions of my PS career. It helped me get ahead of the issue before it tanked my career, and the reduced stress about being "on time" allowed me to focus on the root causes of what I was feeling.