Key red flags to watch for in remote or hybrid employees include a sustained decline in work quality or missed deadlines, disengagement on video calls, delayed or unusually short responses, and a pattern of frequent, short-notice absences. Because remote managers lack the benefit of physical observation, training them to identify these behavioural patterns - and distinguish one-off incidents from ongoing struggles - is essential to catching mental health issues early.

Managers should avoid asking for medical details or diagnoses, dismissing concerns with comments like "everyone's stressed right now," offering oversimplified advice such as telling someone to "just prioritise tasks," or comparing an employee's performance to more resilient colleagues. These responses can make employees feel unheard, belittled, or less likely to speak up in future. Instead, managers should use open, supportive language that invites dialogue and focuses on practical workplace accommodations.