However, his manager, Juliet, had noticed a concerning shift in his demeanor.
John's once enthusiastic approach had given way to lethargy and disinterest. He seemed distracted, showing up late and turning in unfinished work. Juliet knew something was amiss.
While a temporary performance drop is normal, prolonged changes in behavior, mood, or work output could signal a deeper issue that may require professional help.
As an empathetic manager, it's essential to recognize the signs that an employee might benefit from therapy.
From a sudden lack of motivation to persistent fatigue, there are several red flags that should prompt a compassionate conversation.
This discussion looks into six signs a manager should watch out for that signal your hardworking employee needs therapy.
1 - Excessive Lateness or Absenteeism
A sudden or prolonged pattern of lateness or absenteeism can be a telling indicator that an employee may be struggling with underlying personal or mental health issues.
When an individual who previously showed a reliable and consistent work ethic begins to display an increase in lateness or unexplained absences, it should raise concerns for you as a manager or employer. Excessive lateness or absenteeism can manifest for several reasons, including:
- Personal or family crises
- Health issues, including chronic illnesses or injuries
- Childcare or eldercare responsibilities
- Work-related stress or dissatisfaction
- Lack of understanding or clarity about work expectations
- Substance abuse or addiction problems
- Relationship issues causing emotional distress
- Burnout or fatigue from overwork or lack of work-life balance.
These issues can damage your employee's motivation, focus, and ability to maintain a regular schedule, leading to an observable decline in attendance and reliability.
In such situations, it is crucial to approach the matter with empathy and understanding. Rather than resorting to disciplinary measures, you should initiate a respectful dialogue with the employee to explore the root causes of their attendance issues.
2 - Increased Irritability and Argumentativeness
When you notice an employee becoming more easily irritated or starting arguments frequently, it might be time to consider if they need therapy. This change in behavior can affect their work relationships and productivity.Picture this: Your usually calm and friendly employee suddenly seems on edge all the time. They snap at coworkers over small mistakes or get into arguments over trivial matters. It's like everyone is walking on eggshells around them.
This increased irritability and argumentativeness can be a sign that something deeper is going on.
Maybe they're feeling stressed out or overwhelmed by personal issues. Or perhaps there's an underlying mental health concern that needs attention.
The following table explains what it could mean when an employee shows excessive irritability or argues over minor issues.
| Reason for Employee irritability or argumentativeness | Explanation |
| Emotional Distress | Could be overwhelmed by anxious, depressive, or fearful feelings. |
| Coping Mechanisms | Engaging in arguments might be their way of expressing frustration or attempting to regain a sense of control in challenging situations. |
| Cognitive Impairment | Mental health challenges can also impair cognitive functioning. This affects decision-making and problem-solving abilities, leading to irritability or arguments because of mistakes made. |
| Communication Issues | If an employee is unable to express themselves clearly or feels misunderstood, they may become frustrated and resort to arguing as a means of communication. |
3 - Unusual Disorganization
On several occasions, she forgot about scheduled meetings and was late to deliver crucial files. Zawadi’s supervisor recommended she see a therapist when she could no longer follow through on assigned tasks because she couldn't manage her usual workload effectively.
While some level of disorganization might be typical for certain individuals, a sudden or marked increase in an employee's inability to maintain order and structure in their work can raise red flags.
If a thorough and orderly team member begins to exhibit uncharacteristic patterns of untidiness, forgetfulness, and disorganization, it may signal the presence of an underlying issue that may require professional attention.
This sudden shift in organizational abilities can stem from various factors, including elevated stress levels, personal or family crises, or the onset of mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.
In these situations, an employee's cognitive functioning and ability to maintain focus and structure can be significantly impaired, leading to visible signs of disorganization and forgetfulness.
Taking the approach Zawadi’s supervisor took could be the best approach to address the situation.
4 - Declining Work Performance
When you start noticing that an employee's work performance is slipping, it could be a sign that they're facing some challenges that need addressing.
Imagine someone who used to always meet deadlines and produce high-quality work but now struggles to keep up or frequently makes mistakes. This relates to John’s story we started with.
Declining work performance can happen for various reasons. It could be due to personal issues like family problems or health concerns.
Mental health issues such as workplace anxiety or depression can also affect someone's ability to focus and perform well.
Additionally, burnout from excessive stress or workload can lead to exhaustion and decreased productivity. As a manager, it's vital to approach the situation with empathy and support rather than immediately jumping to conclusions or reprimanding the employee.
First, you need to find out in what area their work performance has been affected and the impact it has on the company. Simplicable summarizes these areas in the image below.
Take the time to have a conversation with them to understand what might be causing their decline in performance.
As well as show them how their poor performance affects many areas and has a ripple effect on the company. Afterward, suggest that they consider going for therapy to address the pressing issues.
5 - Poor Personal Hygiene or Grooming
When an employee begins to exhibit a marked decline in their appearance or self-care, it could indicate a deeper issue that may necessitate professional intervention.For instance, an employee who was once known for their neat and well-groomed appearance may start to show up to work with:
- Shaggy hair
- Wrinkled clothing
- Poor Dental Care
- Bad body Odor
This sudden disregard for personal grooming can stem from various underlying factors. It could be a symptom of depression, where the individual struggles to find the motivation or energy to maintain their usual self-care routine.
Alternatively, it could be a manifestation of heightened stress or anxiety, where the employee is overwhelmed and neglects their appearance as a result.
In such cases, it is important to approach the matter with sensitivity and compassion. Rather than focusing solely on the employee's physical appearance, it is essential to have an open and non-judgmental conversation to understand the root causes of their changed behavior.
Expressing genuine concern and suggesting professional counseling can help the employee address any underlying mental health or personal issues that may be contributing to their poor personal hygiene or grooming.
6 - Inability to Focus
As a manager, you may have noticed that younger people joining the workforce have difficulty concentrating for a prolonged time compared to previous generations.
Hence, maintaining laser-sharp focus is a highly prized skill, and you tend to value employees with this capability, such as Mike.
When Mike first joined the marketing team, his colleagues were impressed by his talent for tuning out distractions and diving deep into complex projects.
However, a worrying change had become apparent over the past few months.
Where Mike had once been able to work for hours without breaking concentration, he now seemed perpetually distracted. His attention would drift during essential meetings, forcing his manager to repeat key points.
Simple tasks that should have taken minutes dragged on as Mike's mind wandered. Deadlines were increasingly missed as lack of focus led to careless, error-ridden work.
This wasn't just a temporary issue—it was a persistent inability to apply himself that threatened Mike's productivity and success. His manager realized standard motivational talks wouldn't work. Something deeper was blocking Mike's cognitive performance.
After a compassionate discussion acknowledging the problem, the manager empowered Mike to seek therapy that could help identify and overcome the barriers undermining his focus.
Help Your Employees Thrive
As a manager, your role goes beyond just overseeing tasks—it's about creating an environment where your employees can truly thrive.When you notice concerning changes in an employee's mood, focus, or behavior, don't turn a blind eye. Approach it with empathy and have an open discussion to understand the root causes.
Prolonged issues could signal the need for professional support. Encourage them to prioritize their mental well-being by seeking therapy.
Mental Health Wellness Kenya is here to help. We offer individual and group counseling to employees facing various life challenges.
Contact us today to also book an employee training session on stress management and mental health wellness.
Often, acknowledging the problem and expressing genuine concern can open the door for the employee to seek therapy.
