Phillip Kitzer Joins Panel on Mental Health, Disability Law, and Workplace Conduct

Mental health conditions can significantly affect employees’ behavior and performance at work—and when that happens, both employees and employers often struggle to understand their rights and responsibilities. At a recent Minnesota CLE presentation, “When Problematic Employee Behavior Stems from a Mental Health Condition,” Phillip Kitzer of Kitzer Rochel, PLLP joined Amy Conway of Stinson LLP and Dr. Andrea Lovett of MorningStar Psychological Services to discuss how mental health intersects with employment law.

The presentation explored how conditions such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, substance use disorders, and personality disorders can impact the workplace, and what legal protections apply under disability laws like the Minnesota Human Rights Act and the ADA. Employers have a duty to engage in an interactive process to identify reasonable accommodations—such as flexible schedules, quiet workspaces, or short-term leave—that allow employees to perform their essential job duties safely and effectively.

However, the law also sets boundaries. Employers do not have to excuse conduct that violates clear, consistently applied workplace policies or creates a direct safety risk. The key, the presenters emphasized, is consistency, documentation, and respect: treating employees fairly while ensuring workplace safety and accountability.

Kitzer Rochel represents employees who have been disciplined, denied accommodations, or terminated because of a mental health condition. If you believe your employer mishandled your situation or failed to accommodate your needs, our attorneys can help you understand your rights and pursue appropriate remedies. Visit www.kitzerrochel.com