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Employer and employment agency attitudes towards employing individuals with mental health needs
- Authors:
- BIGGS David, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Mental Health, 19(6), December 2010, pp.509-516.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- London
The positive benefits of paid employment for individuals with mental health needs are well known yet many still remain unemployed. The attitudes of employers and employment agencies that may provide short-term contracts to individuals with mental health needs are important to understand if these individuals are to be given access to paid employment. This study used a mixed methods approach comprising interviews and a follow-up survey. Interviews were conducted with 10 directors responsible for the local recruitment agency in Gloucestershire and 10 employing managers in large businesses. The results of these interviews then informed a follow-up survey of 200 businesses in Gloucestershire. The findings demonstrated that employment agencies would consider putting forward individuals with previous mental health needs to employers. However, employers had a high level of concern around employing these individuals. Employers reported issues of trust, needing supervision, inability to use initiative and inability to deal with the public for individuals with either existing or previous mental health needs. The article concludes that there is a need for employers to have more accurate information regarding hiring individuals with mental health needs.