Government Makes Significant Changes in Equality Bill
People with a record of mental illness have so far found it difficult to appear for interviews, let alone secure a job. This is because most employers make candidates fill a questionnaire where they are asked if they are mentally (and physically) fit to perform a job. Thus, many candidates who are either mentally or physically unfit have been debarred from appearing for an interview.
This prejudice is so deep rotted that candidates are asked such questions for jobs where such health issues don’t matter at all.
However, things are going to change for the better for such candidates, as recent changes have been made to the Equality Bill by the government. According to the amendments, applicants can appear for an interview regardless of whether they are physically (or mentally) fit or not. It is only after a candidate has cleared an interview that such health issues should come into consideration, and not before that.
This amendment is however applicable only for those jobs in which a candidate is not required to stay physically/mentally fit to perform a job. In other words, it is applicable for soft jobs and not for jobs where health is a crucial factor for employment, like in the armed forces.
Paul Corry, Rethink’s Director of Public Affairs, seemed happy with the amendment when he said that this amendment will particularly help employees who are prevented from appearing before the interview board just because they may have had a mental health condition at some point in their lives.
Corry added that a person who is under medication for his mental illness and is on his way to a slow recovery is fully capable of performing his official tasks with high levels of productivity. Hence, such a person has every right to prove his abilities before an interview panel.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for those involved in the management and development of people. Workplace Law run CIPD courses throughout the
