Charity victory heralds new dawn for job applicants with mental health problems

Mental health charity Rethink is celebrating today (Monday 18 Jan) in light of the government’s decision to ban employers from asking job applicants about their medical history prior to inviting them for interview.

After years of campaigning on the issue, Rethink is delighted that the government has introduced an amendment to the Equality Bill which would stop employers from asking job candidates about their health until after a job offer has been made.

Under the current system, employers can ask job applicants whether they have a medical condition or disability before deciding whether to invite them for interview. This has led to shocking discrimination towards people with "invisible" health conditions such as mental health problems. In the United States and a significant number of EU member states it is already against the law to ask pre-interview health questions.

Paul Corry, Rethink's director of public affairs, said:
 
"The government’s decision to introduce the amendment should put a stop to this discriminatory employment practice which deters so many people with mental health problems from applying for jobs. It could mark a turning point in equal opportunities. To date, job applicants with a history of mental illness have had little choice but to continue to cover up their health on application forms just to get an interview.

"Employer discrimination is a real problem. People with mental illness can have fulfilling careers and be an asset to any organisation yet too many employers are unable to see past their own prejudice. By addressing this issue, the government has lay the foundations for job candidates with mental health problems to be judged on their ability, not their diagnosis. "
 
Rethink members say that being honest about their mental health history on a job application form is tantamount to writing themselves out of the job.
 
Andy Harley, 36, was a successful banking analyst before he became ill with depression. He says:
 
"I had worked in a bank for years and everything was going really well but then depression struck and I had to take almost a year off.  Fully recovered and ready for work, I found that organisations didn’t want me.  I was honest and ticked the box on application forms that asked about mental illness.  It took two years and more than 150 applications to finally get a job at a much lower grade than my qualifications and capabilities.”

For more information call 020 7840 3138.