Understanding mental health in HR and employment law

Did you know there’s been a rise of mental health disability discrimination claims in tribunals? Do you feel equipped for handling the tricky combination of mental health, HR and employment law?

With poor mental health accounting for more than half of all work-related illnesses and around 51% of long-term sick leave being due to stress, depression, or anxiety – it’s a topic we need to keep talking about. Employers have a legal responsibility to help employees.

Individual mental health cases can affect the progress of standard HR procedures. That’s why Breathe’s upcoming webinar will be focusing on employment law and mental health.

We're joined by Senior Associate Lawyer of Outset and employment law expert, Tessa Robinson and Natalie Ellis, Founder & Managing Director of Rebox HR.

They share a wealth of knowledge and expertise. From effectively managing HR procedures to ensuring a fair and inclusive workplace for all. They also share the importance of considering compliance with relevant laws and regulations, when it comes to understanding mental health.

We cover:

Review real life cases
The individual nature of mental health and the issues this presents in employment law and HR (including neurodiversity & stress)
How mental health can affect the progress of standard HR procedures
The role of occupational health and its limits (including risk assessments & access to work)
The rise of mental health disability discrimination claims in tribunals (including how tribunals approach claims and how to approach these issues)

Tessa Robinson Senior Associate Lawyer & employment law expert Outset

Tessa joined the Outset Group in 2022 and has quickly become a trusted and key member of the team. With her down-to-earth, friendly approach, Tessa delivers exceptional expertise in employment law and business immigration matters, with a particular interest in data protection.

Tessa has assisted a number of clients on large project-based work, including defending employment tribunal claims, running collective consultation projects, conducting whistleblowing investigations and dealing with data protection matters.

Tessa is able to quickly identify the root of a problem and come up with creative, practical and commercial solutions, all delivered in an approachable way.

Outside of work, Tessa is usually found at the stables with her two horses, or snuggling with her cats at home, and occasionally she finds time for something else - like a skiing holiday.

Natalie Ellis Founder & Managing Director Rebox HR

Natalie began her HR career in 2007 working for Woolworths group and since then has worked for high profile organisations including ASOS.com and in 2020, set up her multi-award winning business, Rebox HR.

Natalie is incredibly passionate about supporting small businesses. Her work centres around employers staying out of the HR hot water by being proactive with people management.

In her spare time Natalie has a successful HR blog, has featured in national publications, and was named as one of the UK’s Most Influential HR Practitioners by HR Magazine. In 2024, Rebox HR was proudly named as Breathe Partner of the Year.

What our audience say about our webinars

"Provided a great insight"

"The webinar was so well hosted and structured by Amy at Breathe. Jason and Helen provided a great insight into proposed changes, they explained everything clearly and concisely. They also signposted listeners to some really useful websites to find out more about these topics."

- Sarah Dixon,

People Experience Assistant

"One of the best webinars I’ve ever attended"

“It was such a valuable 45 mins and one of the best webinars I’ve ever attended. I’m still buzzing from the really useful information and tips and information to the point of promoting it to anyone who will listen!”

- Donna Cumberlidge,

Chief Officer

"The speakers were excellent"

"First webinar I've watched with Breathe and it was fab, a great topic and the speakers were excellent. Loved the layout and interactive aspect of the webinar. Such a big topic, I hope we could do session 2 and carry on with the conversation!"

- Gemma Burgess,

Practice Manager

Understanding mental health in HR and employment law

What our audience say about our webinars

"Provided a great insight"

"One of the best webinars I’ve ever attended"

"The speakers were excellent"

Let’s work together –and make things better

Let’s work together –
and make things better