Lessons From Germanwings: Identifying And Managing Mental Illness In The Workplace

Last week a Germanwings flight from Barcelona to Dusseldorf crashed in the French Alps. Prosecutors released shocking evidence from the cockpit voice recorder which suggests that the co-pilot intentionally crashed the plane. Information has since surfaced about the mental health of the co-pilot. Torn-up sick notes indicating that he might not be fit to fly, including one for the day of the crash, have been found in the co-pilot's possessions. While there is much speculation, it is not known whether the co-pilot was experiencing a mental illness on the day of the crash.

The media attention on Germanwings in the aftermath of this tragic incident should cause employers to reflect on their workplaces and ask the following questions: What risks could undiagnosed or unidentified mental illnesses pose in our workplace? What steps should we, as an employer (or service provider), take in the management of our workforce to reduce the risk of harm? What are our legal