Your mental health matters more than any job. Practical guides for staying well at work.
Turn off work notifications after hours. Don't check email before 8am or after 6pm. Your availability teaches people when to contact you. In Ireland's culture, this is increasingly respected and normalised.
If workload is unsustainable, say so early. Irish managers generally respond well to honest conversations about capacity. "I want to do great work on X, but Y is making that difficult" is better than burning out silently.
Take a real break. Leave your desk. Even 20 minutes away from screens resets your afternoon. In Ireland, the "lunch at desk" culture is changing — be part of that change.
Even a 15-minute walk at lunch improves mood, focus, and energy. Ireland's parkruns every Saturday morning are free, social, and available in 100+ locations nationwide.
Our Career Journal helps you track mood patterns and identify what's working and what's not. Seeing trends over weeks makes it easier to take action before burnout hits.
Don't isolate. Connect with colleagues, friends, or a mentor. Ireland's professional community is warm and supportive — most people are happy to have a coffee and listen.
Since 2024, Irish employees are entitled to statutory sick pay: up to 5 paid sick days per year at 70% of normal pay (capped at €110/day). Many employers offer more generous schemes. You don't need to disclose the nature of your illness — "I'm unwell" is sufficient.
Ireland introduced a Code of Practice on the Right to Disconnect in 2021. This means employers should not routinely contact you outside working hours, and you should not feel penalised for not responding. While not legally binding, it strengthens any WRC complaint.
If you have a mental health condition, your employer has a legal obligation to provide reasonable accommodations under the Employment Equality Acts. This can include flexible working, reduced hours, or modified duties. You're protected from discrimination on disability grounds.
If you're struggling, these are free, confidential services available in Ireland:
24/7, 365 days. Freephone.
Depression & bipolar support. 10am-10pm.
Suicide & self-harm crisis support. Freephone.
Free 24/7 text-based crisis support.
HSE's comprehensive mental health information and services directory.
If wellbeing issues relate to workplace conditions, bullying, or rights violations.