Do I have to disclose therapy to my employer?
Asked by: Dominique Bernhard | Last update: August 16, 2025Score: 4.9/5 (44 votes)
Do you have to tell your employer you are in therapy?
Absolutely not! Mental health treatment is private (not shameful, no one's business but yours). The only reason you might have to say something would be is your psychological issues interfered with your work and you needed an accommodation or something.
Will my employer know if I see a therapist?
Absolutely not. Therapy is confidential medical information, and unless you're getting some type of security clearance, no employer is going to care if you go to therapy. It's illegal for them to discriminate against you for getting therapy.
Do you have to disclose your mental illness to your employer?
You have the right to disclose at any time during your employment. You also have the right not to disclose. The Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA)1 states that employers cannot ask questions that will likely reveal the existence of a disability before making a job offer.
Do you have to disclose mental illness to employer Canada?
In Canada, the law says that you don't have to tell your employers what is causing a disability. You do need to say that you're experiencing health challenges and you have to describe what you need to work well.
Should You Tell Your Employer You Have A Mental Illness?
Can I lose my job due to mental illness?
Under federal law, workers with mental health conditions may be protected against discrimination and harassment at work related to their condition, have workplace confidentiality rights, and have a legal right to reasonable accommodations that can help them perform and keep their job.
Should you disclose health issues to your employer?
Telling your employer about your diagnosis is the only way to protect your legal right to any accommodations you might need to get or keep a job. However, revealing your disability may subject you to discrimination which could limit your opportunities for employment and advancement.
Do I have to tell my employer I am on antidepressants?
You do not have to disclose information to your employer. However if your employer does not know of any issues, they are unable to help. It may be beneficial to disclose information to your employer early on, so that steps can be taken to help, and therefore hopefully prevent problems in the workplace developing.
Should I tell my boss I'm struggling mentally?
Remember, your employer will want to help you not least because it makes good business sense. It's entirely up to you how much you want to disclose - you don't have to "name" your condition but be careful about words like “stress” which can mean many different things and is often misinterpreted.
Can you terminate an employee with mental health issues?
California laws on mental health and employment
The Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) protects workers from being fired due to their mental health conditions.
Does going to therapy go on your record?
In the same manner as medical records at a doctors office, they are strictly confidential and can only be accessed by an outside party with the permission of the client and in most cases a written consent. There is no worry that anyone will find out by your information being "public".
Can my employer force me to go to therapy?
Without just cause, such as being a threat to others, and or yourself, or having compiled enough complaints by others at work where your job is at stake, and mandatory therapy becomes a condition to keep it, you have no obligation to discuss your mental health needs, or that you are seeing a therapist, psychiatrist, ...
What happens if I refuse my employer access to my medical records?
Although your employer has no legal right to obtain your medical records, reviewing them would provide an efficient way to evaluate your condition. If you are unwilling to provide the records, your employer could require you to undergo an independent medical examination to secure the same information.
Can employers see if you go to therapy?
In most cases, the answer is no: your mental health records are considered private information and your employer has no right to access them.
What am I not allowed to tell my therapist?
So, among the very few things we would say you shouldn't tell your therapist are the chatty details of your day. Avoid the safe subjects you don't have any big feelings or deep thoughts about and the conversation topics you use to put others at ease in casual social situations.
Can a therapist pull you out of work?
It is possible your doctor or therapist will give you a sick note for depression, stress, or anxiety. Once again, some employers may require this. However, it is important to note that your doctor cannot discuss your health with your employer without your written and documented consent.
Do I have to disclose my mental illness to my employer?
Disclosing a psychiatric disability: Legal protections
According to the ADA, employers can't require applicants or employees to disclose a disability (with a few exceptions described below). So, in most cases, disclosing a psychiatric disability is a choice, not a requirement.
What is an example of mental health discrimination at work?
It is illegal for an employer to discriminate against you simply because you have a mental health condition. This includes firing you, rejecting you for a job or promotion, or forcing you to take leave.
Can my boss comment on my mental health?
The EEOC notes that there are four times when an employer is legally allowed to inquire about your physical or mental health: If you have requested a reasonable accommodation that will allow you to perform the duties that are associated with your job.
How to tell your boss you're struggling mentally?
To start the conversation, you might say, “I want to share something with you that affects me personally and tell you what I need to stay healthy.” Mention to your manager that you've asked HR what resources are available, such as an EAP, and what accommodations are possible, he says.
Can my employer see what medications I take?
Employee health-related information is protected by law. Therefore, an employer must adhere to strict confidentiality regulations. An employee's prescribed drug use history can be shared with the employee's supervisor if there are work-related restrictions due to the use.
Can my employer make me see a psychiatrist?
The ADA prohibits employers from requiring their workers to undergo medical exams unless the exam is “shown to be job-related and consistent with business necessity.” However, an employer may require an employee to undergo a mental health examination if the employee's behavior raises questions about the employee's ...
Can an employer fire you for having health issues?
California laws protect you when you have a medical condition that impacts your ability to work. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) prohibits employer discrimination based on actual or perceived medical conditions, including firing and other adverse employment actions.
Does my employer need to know my diagnosis?
You have no legal obligation to tell your employer about your health status or your newly diagnosed disability. And indeed, with limited exceptions, your employer can't ask you about whether you have a disability. Your private health information is private.
Can HR share medical information with manager?
The ADA requires that medical information given to an employer be kept confidential in most cases and shared only with those who need to know about it, like the folks in benefits or the folks in HR. And importantly, you generally don't need to be disabled in order to have this protection.