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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you would employ somebody with a mental illness?

50 replies

MadMommaMemoo · 15/03/2011 17:05

if they fitted all the other criteria but said on the application form that they had a mental illness that was well controlled and never caused them to be violent would you still employ them?

OP posts:
ApocalypseCheeseToastie · 15/03/2011 17:06

Of course I would, whyever not ??

slightlymad72 · 15/03/2011 17:06

Yes

Macdog · 15/03/2011 17:06

I am lucky enough to have had employers in the past who have.

Can employers use that as an excuse?
Is that not discrimination?

gordyslovesheep · 15/03/2011 17:06

yes - mental illness doesn't automatically equate with violence by the way

cornsilk678 · 15/03/2011 17:07

yes

Original poster
MadMommaMemoo · 15/03/2011 17:07

Oh unknown that Gordy, I just wanted to be clear about exactly what I meant.

OP posts:
Macdog · 15/03/2011 17:08

Good point Gordy - why would you assume Mental Health problems automatically mean violence?

YABU

Original poster
MadMommaMemoo · 15/03/2011 17:08

I mean I know that

OP posts:
waitwhat · 15/03/2011 17:08

Yes

As i have one i would say that thoughGrin

myredcardigan · 15/03/2011 17:08

If the MI was well controlled then yes, of course.

If I was a small business and the MI was clinical depression and they admitted struggling to keep it under control, I would perhaps suggest a trial period. But if they told me it was under control, I'd accept that.

TeacupTempest · 15/03/2011 17:11

Why are they having to disclose their illness on a job application?

LaurieFairyCake · 15/03/2011 17:12

Most people do employ someone with mh problems - it's one in 3

you'd have to be a really small organisation not to Grin

chillichill · 15/03/2011 17:13

yes, but I would ask for references as I would for any employees, but would be particularly interested in knowing how many periods of absence there were in a year. then again, I would want to know that for any employees.

KatieMiddleton · 15/03/2011 17:13

Yes. Because it would be illegal to discriminate against them for that reason unless they were violent, psychotic of any of the other reasons that would prohibt someone from being able to do the job.

Why are you asking about health on an application? Not a good idea since the law changed last October.

PrincessScrumpy · 15/03/2011 17:14

Yes, we just employed someone who after 4 days work had a complete breakdown. She's just returning to work now. She didn't have mental health issues in the past so we couldn't have predicted it. So anyone can be affected.

It would be best if the employee was open about why things happened and if there were triggers but so long as they can do the job then of course.

However, my parents may think otherwise - not due to age but as they run their own small company. They had an employee off for 12 weeks ill (turned out he was playing the system but that's another story). The contracts they do say no sick pay for the 1st 6 months, however they still have to pay the Government required sick pay which was about £16 a day, plus employ casual labourers to cover the workload (seasonal so couldn't wait). They have a new business which isn't making much profit yet so cannot afford to cover this kind of sickness. Not deliberately being prejudice but they need to be able to afford to live.

Original poster
MadMommaMemoo · 15/03/2011 17:14

I was only asking because i have a mental illness and was wondering if it would put people off employing me. See I think in reality it would, you are a fair and open minded bunch on here but a lot of people have prejudices against people with MH issues.

OP posts:
KatieMiddleton · 15/03/2011 17:14

Some of these replies indicate some worrying attitudes and ignorance Hmm

lesley33 · 15/03/2011 17:15

Yes and I have. It is someone who has had problems with severe depression. Was easily the best candidate, but I was a bit hesitant about possible sick leave in future. However employee has been great - very good at job, very reliable and low levels of sickness.

My OH has bipolar and works full time so it probably helped that I know a bit about the realities of mental illness - as opposed to myths.

Original poster
MadMommaMemoo · 15/03/2011 17:15

I didn't know that employers couldn't ask about it!

OP posts:
GlynisIsFixed · 15/03/2011 17:15

are you applying for a job and it's on the form about any 'ongoing illness'? are you reluctant to fill in that part?

sorry if this is wide of the mark here

GlynisIsFixed · 15/03/2011 17:16

ah X-post

as far as i'm aware, employers are not allowed to ask that to discriminate AGAINST employment

Original poster
MadMommaMemoo · 15/03/2011 17:17

Not applying yet but I have always worked in schools and there is always a section asking about health.

OP posts:
GastonTheLadybird · 15/03/2011 17:17

I work in recruitment and have clients who I know it would be an issue for, along with many other things, particularly in tough economic times companies tend to go for the lowest risk option.

If two equally qualified and liked candidates are at final stage, I think it is reasonable to assume many people would choose the one without MH issues over the one who has MH issues. I think it's any health issues though, not just MH.

lesley33 · 15/03/2011 17:18

Just to say I work for a very small company - 12 employees.

Original poster
MadMommaMemoo · 15/03/2011 17:18

See that's what worries me Gaston

OP posts:
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