I need to take time away from work as the caregiver of a loved one with mental illness. Where do I start?

Being a caregiver of a loved one with mental illness can come with a lot of responsibilities. Many caregivers seek workplace accommodations so they can care for their loved one while keeping stable employment. We’ve listed information and resources below that we hope will be helpful. 

Using FMLA. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that applies to all federal, state, and local government employers and private employers with 50 or more employees.  

This law provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave, during a 12-month period, for specified family and medical reasons. Employees can use this leave to care for their own serious health condition or that of a spouse, child, or parent. FMLA leave can be taken intermittently or for an extended period of up to 12 weeks. 

FMLA is enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), Wage and Hour Division. The U.S. DOL website has detailed information about employer responsibilities and employee rights under the FMLA. Their webpage Family Caregivers: Information on the Family and Medical Leave Act may be especially helpful.  

Having a conversation with your employer.  It may be helpful to speak with your supervisor and/or someone in your workplace’s human resources (HR) department to explore accommodations that may be available to you as a caregiver.  

While reasonable accommodations for caregivers are not guaranteed under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA), you and your employer may be able to work together on an arrangement that allows you to care for your loved one while also performing the essential functions of your job. Consider exploring flexible work schedules, hybrid work arrangements, or other accommodations that apply to your situation. 

Using an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). As part of your workplace benefits, your employer may offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAPs provides voluntary, confidential, short-term services to employees who need help managing personal or life challenges including mental health conditions, caregiving concerns, financial help, and more.  

Many caregivers find their EAP to be a great resource for getting support and information related to their needs as a caregiver. To learn more about benefits that may be available to you through an EAP, reach out to your workplace’s human resources (HR) department. 

Taking care of yourself. It’s true – you can’t pour from an empty cup. Taking care of yourself can easily get put on the back burner when you’re caring for someone else, but your well-being is equally important. NAMI’s Taking Care of Yourself webpage reviews tips and strategies for maintaining your wellness as a caregiver. Remember that the work you do is highly valued and you deserve to be cared for, too.  

Helpful Resources: 

• Supporting Your Mental Health as a Caregiver in the Workplace: a NAMI Stigmafree Workplace webpage that outlines signs of caregiver stress and strategies for taking care of yourself. 
• A to Z: Caregivers: an FAQ webpage from the Job Accommodation Network that answers questions like, “Are there federal, state, or local laws that might require an employer to provide workplace flexibility, like access to leave, for a caregiver of an individual with a disability?” 
• Fact Sheet #28K: Using FMLA Leave to Care for an Adult Child with a Disability under the FMLA: a Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division fact sheet that provides detailed information about FMLA and examples of situations that would qualify a caregiver as eligible for leave under FMLA. 
• Family Caregiver Services by State: a search tool from the Family Caregiver Alliance that allows you to search caregiving services available by state. Use the tool to learn about local caregiving agencies, whether your state offers any financial reimbursement options for caregivers, and other information that may be helpful to know. 
• Protecting Caregivers from Workplace Discrimination: a fact sheet from the National Women’s Law Center that offers information on caregiver discrimination in the workplace and legal protections for caregivers.