WSH Council issues draft “Guidelines on Providing Support for Employees with and at-risk of Mental Health Conditions” for comment

29 October 2024

On 1 October 2024, the Workplace Safety and Health (“WSH”) Council published a draft of the “Guidelines on Providing Support for Employees with and at-risk of Mental Health Conditions” (“Guidelines”) for public consultation. The consultation closes on 31 October 2024. 

The WSH Council is developing the Guidelines to enhance support for employees with mental health conditions and provide clearer guidance to employers who are keen to go the extra mile for their employees. The guidelines provide tips on supporting those who are “at-risk” or “un-well”, including re-integrating them into the workplace upon recovery. 

Broadly, the draft Guidelines make the following recommendations: 

  • Step 1: Nurture a supportive mental well-being workplace culture, conducive to safe discussion on mental well-being and to facilitate understanding on the topic.
  • Step 2: Establish a system to refer employees to professional help, bearing in mind that every situation is unique and that employers should tailor their approach based on the individual’s needs and circumstances while upholding their privacy and dignity.
  • Step 3: Establish a return-to-work system to re-integrate employees back to work. These adjustments/accommodations should be contextualised and industry-specific, made on a case-by-case basis in light of the individual’s needs and the nature of the mental health condition. 

The draft Guidelines also seek to equip employers in dealing with specific circumstances of performance management for returning employees, managing inappropriate behaviour by colleagues, and supporting employees with self-harm intentions. 

When finalised, the Guidelines will complement the Tripartite Advisory on Mental Health and Well-being at Workplaces and the Playbook on Workplace Mental Well-being, which mostly cover how to keep employees healthy and prevent them from becoming at-risk or unwell. 

The Guidelines will offer practical recommendations for employers to create a supportive workplace that helps prevent mental health issues from worsening and enables employees to recover and return to work confidently. The Guidelines seek to help employers build a more inclusive and understanding workplace, allowing employees to continue contributing meaningfully while receiving the care they need. 

Reference materials

The following materials are available on the MOM website www.mom.gov.sg: