One of my team members recently opened up about their struggles with mental health and asked for more flexibility in their schedule. I want to support them—I know how important it is to prioritize mental health—but I’m also concerned about how this might impact productivity and the workload for the rest of the team. I don’t want to risk burnout for anyone else, but I also want to be compassionate and fair. Any ideas on how to handle this?

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

Start by making and planning, ensure you are utilizing any resources for them and for yourself. It can’t be taking work away from one to pile onto everyone else, you aren’t getting anywhere with that. Figure out specific ways to support and make sure to check in with everyone.

What does "flexibility" mean in this case? And how does that work in your job? Doing the same work as everyone else but from 10-7 rather than 8-5 might be ok, as might working the same hours from a different location, and these are both examples of flexibility that might not redistribute work.

Also consider involving HR so your employee can get assessed for formal work accommodations. This can also protect you from possible claims of discrimination. If the accommodation is that they do less or less challenging work, you can then use that HR declaration to reset expectations with your manager and other stakeholders.

Related Posts

FIRE newbie here. Is it possible to reach FIRE with a special needs kid? Has someone done it? Are there any alternatives to fund therapies beside insurance?

like

Has anyone tested positive with COVID while pregnant? My spouse just tested positive and I’m staying someplace else to keep safe. But curious how worried I should be if I end up getting the virus?

like

Why are unreasonable/nearly impossible deadlines so common?

like

Friends- I have few exciting opportunities for those who are within the digital marketing practice. Please let me know:
Adobe Marketing Cloud- Campaign, Target, Audience Manager etc. TIA

like

Need likes to DM . Please .

like

Bad faith lawyers out there- do you have success getting extracontractuals with blown policies that were achieved via technicalities or borderline deceptive set-ups? Do juries punish a carrier when their check is lost the mail due to a hurricane and a day late or some poor defense attorney accidentally left one line off of a release?

like

Received bonus letter.

funnylike

What are resources to become a better strategist?

like

Still trying to get a shot at a post house or something similar! I have experience but I’ll start even as an intern or EP assistant! It’s been rough. A creative for a while- wrong path! ❤️ production

like

Does NTT data pays variable pay that they mention in the offer letter as PEP(0-14%)?

I’m reviewing my resume getting ready to start my job search and have a question for recruiters, hiring managers. I’m looking for a role brand-side not agency side. Specialist roles aside, such as digital, when you see someone describing themselves as a “generalist marketer” is this a resume you’d pass on? My past roles have been such that I do a lot of marketing projects, tasks etc. but I’m not a specialist. I’m worried if I use this terminology I won’t even be considered for a role. Thank you

like

Is this the EY internal bowl ? I just joined EY and how to get invited to the EY bowl ..

like

Hi folks,I have an experience of 7 years in logistics - operations across different companies, I would like to scale up for next level, can anyone suggest any course so that it boosts my career growth?

like

I'm probably leaving the practice of law in Q12023

I am the junior attorney at a small PI firm (5 lawyers). I love my job and my firm, the partners, and my colleagues.

I have another opportunity that is important to me, so I'm planning to step away.

I have maybe 10-15 lit cases that I'm "responsible" for. Some of them are tar babies that I know the partners and my colleagues would hate taking over, but I don't think I'm willing to wait for resolution on them either. Thoughts?

like

I’m currently in the process of accepting a promotion and have a say on the title. I’m moving up from an Enterprise Account Executive/Manager to a KEY Account Executive/Manager. Which one do you think pulls more weight and is more desired/interchangeable in the world of sales and my future career? (Yes I know they’re practically the same thing but I’m a very technical person and title means a lot to me lol)

like

Does PwC provides joining bonus

like

Good ideas for teaching subtraction across zeros? I teach 3rd grade. Are there videos out there? The students struggle with subtraction all together.

like

Comp question - what should a B4 Senior with a CPA, CFF, CFE, and a MBA with 4 years forensic exp (D&T) and 6+ years non-forensic exp (industry) in NYC and DC markets expect in this current climate?

like

Are MBB sponsored MBA students expected to return to their home firms for the summer between their two years? I know you're obligated to go back post-MBA, but what about the summer in between?

likehelpful

Just scored 700 on my GMAT and I feel like a bag of crap. For reference, I put in 300+hrs into my studying, which is overkill but the course I signed up for took this long.

I wanted to use this to strengthen my app to BCG as an experienced hire and possibly for an MBA in the future.

For the MBA programs I'm looking at this score is fine but is this a score that can help my BCG app in a MCOL Canadian city?

likefunny

Additional Posts in People Managers

I got into Management a year ago and now I miss developing. How do software engineers turned managers feel about their switch over to people management?

What was your salary as a first time manager (and where were you based)?

like

Anyone have suggestions on a team building exercise or consultant/coaching to build/improve energy. I feel 2020 was such a big drain on everyone’s energy and spirit just looking for ways to start the year out on a more positive note. TIA

like

For the past 25+ years, I've been a devops engineer, cloud architect and team lead on many projects. I would like to make a career move into IT Management (i.e. DevOps Manager, Director of Cloud Ops, etc.). When it comes to skills needed, what should my focus be on and how would that translate onto a resume? I would love to still be hands-on to utilize my tech knowledge.

like

You're a new manager with direct reports. One of your directs is very determined. You consider yourself a good manager so you want to help them grow. They are killing it and taking on an enormous of workload, and executing flawlessly. Do you let them continue killing it? Ask how they're doing? Or warn/advise them on how to avoid burnout?

like

I have issues “delegating” or simply assigning tasks, which as a Manager is a whole thing. Like I feel “bad” asking my people to do things that i know i can do but shouldn’t because it’s not up to me. When I assign a task i try to be super clear with instructions, give examples, help them get started…but I still feel bad. Idk. Anyone goes through this?

like

Does anyone else just not even want to be a people manager anymore?! The amount of work this is taking, I’m just so over it. In addition to them piling on my work (which is a full time job) the people management stuff is just as much a full time job that no one in management seems to take into account. I have tried countless times to explain this but I end up burnt out, everyone suffers including me. I just left one role bc of it and now this new role, same thing. I’m over it.

like

It feels very telling that there are so few people in this group. Any thoughts on that? It feels like the vast majority of people managers only want the title and don’t want to worry about their people.

likesmart

Newer manager here (18 moths). Recent org announcements and hiring holds have put major stress on my team. Some are hyper focused on all the bad, how do I get buy-in that this is temporary and we still have a job to do? I feel it’s more important than ever to show value vs being task takers.

like

We interviewed a great candidate, extended a verbal offer and she accepted. We sent the written offer a few days ago but she hasn’t opened it or accepted (it’s expiring tomorrow). Have you ever had to follow up? How did you handle it? My company is small with no HR, so I have to handle the hiring myself.

Looking for info about the engineering culture at Netflix from the perspective of someone who identifies as a woman or non-binary person and is also a person of color. Do you feel safe and included? Would also love some input from someone in a leadership position, do you feel supported as a leader?

like

Hi! Any career coaches who offer a full support throughout job search?

-Experience: 8 years of project/program management and/or communication
-Companies of interest: Google, Microsoft, Facebook
-Location: Washington DC or VA

A report opened to me that they are having money problems and wants a raise. We are remote and they moved to a high CoL city. We gave an increase to help with retention 6mths ago. In my response, I helped mentor with best practices on how to ask for a raise professionally since I need to make a case to my Head on finances. But their performance has been avg and not seemingly worthy of another large raise within a short period of time. But how do I respond when they talk about personal finances?

like

I’m a manager and one of my direct reports makes more than me. It really bothers me. Anyone else been in this situation before? What’s the best way to handle it?

like

What is your toughest challenge hiring someone in their early 20’s?
For lots of different reasons I get the impression that younger people aren’t equipped for the employer, employee relationship.

like

I have a direct report who is smart, passionate about her job and can be really innovative. However she carries this enormous weight of responsibility, for needing to do everything, do it right, make sure it's perfect, not trusting colleagues to help. It creates dread and panic and overwhelming workload and a terrible attitude for her and I am speaking with her this week to start to shift her mindset. Any tips in navigating how to let go of this heavy idea of "responsibility"?

likehelpful

Hi. People Manager here. I've been one for 12 years now and I encourage my team to not be "yes" people. At this time, it feels like my manager wants me and my team to be yes people for her. How do I deal with this? I've never been a yes person and I don't preach this to my reports. I don't know what to do. Help?

Looking to apply for a manager role in my CS team. Any tips for the interview?

4 years of CS experience, no management experience

Whats your biggest challenge as a manager?

What do you enjoy most?

How do you manage your friends/people who used to be in your team?

Any interview tips appreciated! Last time failed the interview cause did not show a proper action plan. Find it tough as I do not know what challenges my manager has

like

One of my top talents just put in his two weeks notice and I had nothing to offer him to stay. I told upper management this was going to happen! I’ve spent months asking for a promotion for him, trying to push his career forward and got no traction. I know i did my best. He knows i tried. I still believe i work at a good place but i feel like we’re losing focus. I feel my boss is leaving soon. It’s a mess.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal