Only 5% to 30% of people living with schizophrenia are employed 01 , despite up to 90% saying they want to work 02 . For those who do secure a job, the workplace can still bring significant challenges and take a toll on mental health.

Today, Erica Crompton opens up about the stigma she’s faced at work because of her condition. She also shares practical strategies that have helped her build a successful career while managing schizophrenia.

Behind every person with schizophrenia in the workplace lies some sad truths.

Beyond managing symptoms, people with schizophrenia face a major hurdle: stigma from managers and colleagues in the workplace. Social stigma is a heavy burden, and a competitive work environment can make it even harder to deal with.

Facing stigma about schizophrenia at work raises important questions for those of us living with this illness:

1. Should I disclose my diagnosis or not?
2. If I do, what if I get "managed out" of the job?
3. How can I access the proper support at work if I choose to keep it private?
4. How can I protect myself from workplace bullying or unfair dismissal?
5. If I don't declare it, will I still have any legal rights?

Facing schizophrenia stigma and discrimination in the workplace: some personal examples

I'm no stranger to experiencing stigma and discrimination at work due to having schizophrenia. Twice, I've been asked to leave immediately - "shown the back door" - when my employers learned about my illness.

In both cases, I'd chosen not to disclose my condition because of the negative public attitudes that were rife at the time. And, as I said, I was fired both times, which only served to prove my point.

The first time, I was just 22 years old and struggling to come to terms with my new diagnosis, "paranoid psychosis." At one point, I felt unwell at the office and became hysterical for five minutes.

The company dismissed me the very next day, saying that management felt I was too unwell to work. I was hustled from the office without even the chance to say goodbye to my colleagues. The experience left me feeling suicidal.

Unfortunately, at the time, I was in the grip of psychosis and lacked the strength to challenge the decision.

Nowadays, I always tell employers about my schizophrenia. This way, if I face discrimination after sharing this information, I can more easily make a claim.

The second time, my colleagues had found some articles I'd written online about living with psychosis.

Naturally, these articles soon came to the attention of my manager. They took the view that my condition, along with my decision not to disclose it, was "gross misconduct." I was deemed unfit to work and given mere minutes to collect my things before someone walked me off the premises.

Advocating for yourself after unfair treatment is often easier said than done

It's particularly disheartening when these situations happen. All too often, we feel utterly helpless in the face of the large corporations or organizations we once worked for.

But while there are procedures, policies, and laws in place to prevent unfair dismissal of people with disabilities in the UK (where I’m from), pushing back on these employers isn't easy. Even commuting with schizophrenia can be tough. Getting up and showing up every day can take an enormous amount of grit and motivation, the rest of which is used up on the job. Even in the best of circumstances, jumping through all these legal hoops promises to be exhausting.

So, when I faced active discrimination in the workplace, or when I was fired, I usually found myself in no condition to take legal action.

I wonder if employers understand the challenges people with schizophrenia face when they experience stigma at work, especially if they lose their job. It can be very hard for us to get fair treatment in these situations.

How to make working with schizophrenia easier from the get-go

So, how can we protect ourselves in the workplace?

Be upfront with employers about your diagnosis

Personally, I've worked hard to make sure I don't end up in such a vulnerable workplace situation again. Nowadays, I always tell employers about my schizophrenia. This way, if I face discrimination after sharing this information, I can more easily make a claim. Disclosing also brings other benefits, such as access to the company's occupational health department.

Sure, some hiring managers might Google my name, see my articles about living with schizophrenia, and decide not to move forward with my application based on that. Good! Who wants to work for a company with that type of attitude at its core?

Find reasonable work accommodations for yourself, too

I've also learned to take less on and prefer a part-time work-from-home schedule. I focus on creative projects – such as writing books and articles – that support my mental well-being, rather than make it worse.

Twice, I've been asked to leave immediately – 'shown the back door' – when my employers learned about my illness.

And, of course, working from home has the advantage of no commute. I first noticed how much commuting took out of me when studying for my undergraduate degree. I didn't do as well as I wanted, but I didn't realize how much my performance and mental health were impacted by the weekly commute.

My master's degree, on the other hand, was completed online. Studying at home led to marked improvements in my well-being, which showed in my better grades on my essays.

Remember: Your work environment is more than just the physical space you’re in

After many years of trying to fit into office environments, I've learned to put myself first.

Now, I only work with people on a freelance basis and avoid office settings. I know that office politics can make my illness worse, so it's best to keep them at a distance whenever possible.

Work can be a pleasure when it works for you

For a few years, I worked a night shift on a major newspaper website as a comments moderator. My writing experience and published articles on living with schizophrenia were viewed as strengths. I made friends with my colleagues, and we stayed in touch via social media.

I stayed at that job until our workplace policy changed, requiring all of us to work in the office. I was made redundant, which tided me over until I found a new remote post.

This is a great example of when declaring and being upfront about my strengths and illness worked. Doing a job from home when working with schizophrenia is a valid option that I welcome with open arms. I work better in a quiet spot without office noise, staff banter, or being managed out of a job because my diagnosis or symptoms don't sit well with a manager.

Living with schizophrenia, I’ve found that the right setting and support at work can make all the difference, helping me build a career that respects my mental health. I still face challenges like stigma and barriers to employment, but this path keeps me grounded.

Sources

1. Back to contents.

   Holm M, Taipale H, Tanskanen A, Tiihonen J, Mitterdorfer-Rutz E. Employment among people with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder: A population-based study using nationwide registers. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2021;143(1):61-71. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7839734/ Last accessed 11/27/25

2. Back to contents.

   Sahu, K.K. Intervening Negative Impact of Stigma on Employability of a Person with Schizophrenia Through Social Case Work. Psychosoc. Rehabil. Ment. Health2, 87–95 (2015). https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40737-015-0029-2. Last accessed 11/27/25

The information presented is solely for educational purposes, not as specific advice for the evaluation, management, or treatment of any condition.

The individual(s) who have written and created the content and whose images appear in this article have been paid by Teva Pharmaceuticals for their contributions. This content represents the opinions of the contributor and does not necessarily reflect those of Teva Pharmaceuticals. Similarly, Teva Pharmaceuticals does not review, control, influence, or endorse any content related to the contributor’s websites or social media networks. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes and should not be considered medical advice or recommendations. Consult a qualified medical professional for diagnosis and before beginning or changing any treatment regimen.

NPS-ALL-NP-01679 DECEMBER 2025