Recorded Interactive Webinar: Supporting While Managing: Mental Health and Difficult Performance Conversations in the Workplace

With over 40% of working-age Australians now reporting a mental health condition, the intersection between mental health and performance management is no longer rare - it’s routine. Yet symptoms are often misunderstood, overlooked, or only disclosed once formal processes begin. HR professionals must be equipped to handle these situations with sensitivity, legality, and confidence.  This session provides a clear and contemporary framework for managing performance in employees with mental health conditions, minimising legal risk and maximising dignity. It will:

• Outline what a best-practice performance management process looks like in 2026 for employees with mental health conditions, including obligations around privacy, support, and procedural fairness
• Clarify the legal distinction between a “difficult” employee and one requiring reasonable adjustments under anti-discrimination and WHS laws
• Provide strategies for separating performance concerns from mental health disclosures, including when to investigate, how to handle complaints appropriately, and the role of workplace context in behavioural issues
• Offer practical guidance on conducting a fair, transparent process - covering expectations, documentation, communication styles, and ensuring appropriate supports are in place
• Highlight potential risks of workers’ compensation claims arising from stress or poor handling of the process, with examples and actionable steps to avoid triggering liability