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Forensics and Mental Health
I found some numbers in an article about the various types of media that a forensic analyst may find themselves dealing with in terms of what we would normally consider pretty disturbing cases. I think what they show most of all, is that this work is terribly difficult to do on a daily basis. The…
Linked – ILTA 2024 Survey suggests chasm between small and large law firms’ Gen AI plans & use
This tidbit wasn’t surprising to me: While ILTA is at pains to emphasise that Gen AI accounts for only one tenth of its annual survey findings, one of the more interesting details highlighted ahead of its release is that asked: ‘What are your firm’s plans for Microsoft Copilot for Microsoft 365’, just over a third of…
Linked: Should employers provide mental health training for management?
The one that gives me pause is the last bullet, but not because leaders shouldn’t have that knowledge, but more because human nature tells me that is the one most likely to be misused and create really uncomfortable situations. There’s a very fine line between being aware of signs of someone struggling and diagnosis. I absolutely do not want anyone in the workplace diagnosing people. Watch out for signs of stress and ways you can support the folks who work for you proactively? Sure. Decide for yourself that they have depression, or should be referred to an Employee Assistance Program? Not so much.
But, here’s the thing I will fully admit when saying this. Avoiding this type of behavior is absolutely something that solid mental health training should be a part of. I’ve heard far too many instances lately where organizations are reading a lot about mental health, and burnout, in the workplace and then dispatch their managers to have conversations with their teams about it, and zero training.
Those conversations are dangerous. You have to enable your leaders to go into those conversations with some education and expertise on the subject Just telling them to go and have the conversations without getting them up to speed on how to do so, creates a situation that is likely to end up with some very alienated employees.
Linked – Microsoft’s layoff : How corporate downsizing is sparking a global mental health epidemic
We also need to talk once again about the mental health of both those who were let go and those who are left behind. The shock of having your life turned upside down on the whim of an organization’s managers is overwhelming. Anyone who has been part of a layoff can tell you that. I went through it, and I know plenty of others who have also done so. It’s a traumatic experience.
I’ve also had the experience of watching people I worked closely with get let go more than once as part of a downsizing. That is also traumatic, and the impact goes much further than being sad the day it happens. You’re also likely adjusting schedules and workloads, taking on more work and stress for the same pay, and feeling guilty because you are at least still getting paid while others are not.
So, if you know someone affected by these layoffs, please reach out. Keep in touch with them as best you can and help keep them connected to a community within their industry.
