Directs the commissioner of labor to create and distribute to employers a poster, pamphlet, or other written materials regarding mental health and wellness of employees to be posted in the workplace; directs voluntary guidelines for employers to put in place strategies and programs to support the mental health and wellness of their employees.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
BILL NUMBER: A8675a
SPONSOR: Gunther TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the labor law, in relation to workplace mental health
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill would require employers to provide employees with information
on mental health issues and resources and to destigmatize mental health
in the workplace.
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
This bill creates two new sections of the labor law.
Section one of this bill adds a new section 218-c to the labor law to
require that employers distribute written materials regarding mental
health conditions and resources and have at least one poster or pamphlet
posted within an easily accessible area within the workplace. The bill
also requires the Commissioner of Labor to translate such written mate-
rials in the six most common non-English languages spoken by individuals
with limited-English proficiency in the state of New York.
Section two of this bill adds a new section 218-d to the labor law to
require the commissioners of labor and the office of mental health to
create a regulatory framework with the goal to increase public awareness
on mental health issues while minimizing the stigma of mental health
within the workplace.
JUSTIFICATION:
Adults spend most of their lives in the workplace. Due to increased
pressures at work, the dissolution of home and work due to new technolo-
gies allowing work from home, and the growing COVID-19 pandemic it is
important now more than ever to focus on employee's mental health.
Employees who undergo physical and mental health problems, also experi-
ence reduced productivity levels at work. According to the World Health
Organization at least one trillion dollars per year is spent in the
global economy because of depression and anxiety. By providing mental
health resources in the workplace and creating workplace websites,
portals, and/or guidelines, these resources can help reduce the stigma
surrounding mental health by making it something common and established.
As a result, this bill will provide employees with the proper tools to
get the help they need while also showing employees that their mental
health issues matter and are important and recognized by their employer.
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New Bill.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This law will take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it
shall have become a law.
