Be honest -you wouldn't employ a person with certain mental health issues, would you?

[sportmax]

That's ludicrous- if they're competent and fit for the job - of course I would. That's what I imagine most people would say.
But I don't think people are really being honest with themselves.

What if the person had a mental health issue like social anxiety, would you still want to hire them? Probably not.

I think most job specs are written in such a way as to exclude people with anxiety etc.

Depends on the job.

Depends on the job, surely. I wouldn't necessarily employ someone with social anxiety to do a job with lots of social contact, but if it was an office job that didn't require much social interaction, then why not?

Ultimately, it comes down to whether or not they can do the job.

Why not?
Social anxiety isn't that bad. I would think a job like a door to door salesperson would be a bad fit, but a bookkeeper would be great. And I've known several who were great as Nannies (better with kids than adults). My organisation seems to employ a lot of people with depression (as we discovered in the recent mental health awareness month), quite a few in pretty senior positions.

For an office role probably yes for a customer service role no

Yes and have done.

The right personality, traits, etc. for each role.

Clearly written by someone whos never had mental health issues and certainly never experienced prejudice because of them. Bit of an arseholish thread if you ask me. All those who have mental health issues will love seeing this and it will come back to them every time they think of going for a new job. Bravo OP

I'm extremely glad that my workplace read my MH history and sent me to OH to see if I needed reasonable adjustments. I don't, but I appreciated that they saw past my medical records.

What were you hoping to gain from this thread OP?

I don’t declare my bipolar because I’ve got every job I’ve applied for when I haven’t declared it and been turned down every time I have

I had extreme anxiety in my previous role due to a bad boss and horrendous workload. I was tempted so many times to be signed off but didn't want to as I didn't want that on my record. As I know employer judge!!

This obviously shouldn't happen in this day and age if someone had a broken leg/arm and was signed off for 6 weeks and went for a new job they wouldn't bat an eyelid but signed off with stress or any other mental health issue it's a big thing.

This need to change, if someone has their mental health under control whether with pills or other means and they are right for the job then we should employ them, and support them as best we can to help them if mental health declines as hopefully said employee will and should take necessary steps to get fit again..

Sorry. Yes. It is a twattish sounding thread. Im just really angry and pissed off. I've been to 3 interviews in the past month and the feedback is you're too nervous, not what type of personality you're looking for, we want an outgoing, confident person. It's my social anxiety. People don't want to know me. I can do the jobs but they can't see that.

I've been to 3 interviews in the past month and the feedback is you're too nervous, not what type of personality you're looking for, we want an outgoing, confident person. It's my social anxiety.

That must be so discouraging. What sort of jobs are these - is there another field you’d be better suited for, maybe?

What kind of jobs were you interviewing for op? Did they involve having good people skills, working with others in a team or members of the public?

I think there are certain situations where someone with social anxiety could still be the best person for the role, because they have the most experience/best knowledge of that particular job. Otherwise there will probably be ‘better’ candidates at the interview stage, should they not be given the role??

I’ve interviewed a lot of people recently and, believe me, nearly everyone is nervous in that situation. As an interviewer, I’d always give someone the benefit of the doubt to a certain extent. But if your anxiety at interview is seriously undermining your performance, and the role you’re interviewing for is likely to be one where you are customer facing or need to deal well with certain situations, then it may be that it’s not the right role for you.

Perhaps you come across as overly anxious in your interview? Maybe get some coaching on interview technique. If it’s a job requiring a strong outward facing focus such as an events organiser or a Butlins Red coat then it might well not be a good match.

I wouldn’t know from the application whether a potential member of staff had mental health problems; I’d only know if they exhibited signs at interview and those signs might make them unsuitable for the post.

I have had discussions with staff who suffer with high levels of stress about whether it’s the right job, but it’s their call. I have team members with MH illness who perform exceptionally with the odd period of acute illness. I’ve had people without MH illness who were flakey and needed to leave.

Sorry that sounded harsh and was meant to be helpful!

I can do the jobs but they can't see that.

With respect, OP, every unsuccessful candidate for every job ever (including myself, on many, many occasions) says this, but ultimately employers know what they want and need.

Are you getting any help with interview prep, to help you get a handle on your anxiety?

This shows the lack if understanding of MH issues out there
I have social anxiety
I rarely see friends and family
My job involves talking to strangers all day and addressing groups of 30-100 people.
Nobody knows or would guess.
I have done teaching, presenting, touring, etc.
Nobody knew.
You learn to do your job and push your feelings down until you are alone.
Nobody ever guesses I have this issue and I always get amazing feedback on appraisals.

I have employed individuals who have severe and enduring mental health difficulties. In fact 85% of my team are under secondary care mental health services and I am under a primary care mental health service.

I do work in mental health though so accept that the culture may be different to other sectors.

Depends on the role, doesn't it? Obviously for a job in retail, on an office reception, n sales , healthcare or in a call centre job you need someone confident and outgoing.

There are very few jobs which require zero chance tact with anyone else, ever.

Remember that Anxiety Disorders are relatively common, not everyone (or even most people) with social anxiety will be unemployed. Your anxiety doesn't define you.

I've employed someone with a recent history of psychosis that needed inpatient treatment. My mum has ASD and the odd meltdown at work, but she's otherwise ace at her job. A good team will recognise the strengths and limitations of each person and play to these. No one is perfect or good at everything.

To be honest if you state from the off in the interview that you have social anxiety then they'll probably be aware if that throughout your interviews? If you state I feel that I'm a strong candidate for this role, but interviews make me uncomfortable... Then they could probably emphasise with that more.

Yes we have done so and been able to manage their employment successfully, however they were in very particular roles that leant themselves well to people needing space, solitary working, being able to shut themselves away if they needed to.

Both people we employed were very honest in the interview.

Firstly, 3 interviews is not actually that many. Most job seekers do heaps before they find a job.

Secondly, this is partly about job interviews as a selection tool. Interviews are biased toward outgoing, confident people - even for roles that don't require those characteristics. The good thing is that you can learn techniques to work those biases to your advantage.

I think you should read Presence by Amy Cuddy. I think it would really help you.