741Changes in Equality Bill to Help Candidates with Health Problems
posted on February 3rd, 2010
Recent alterations made in the Equality Bill have made it easier for job applicants to appear for an interview despite having health complications.
Businesses in the UK screen and shortlist candidates for an interview on the basis of a questionnaire that ask employees (among other things) if they have any past record of physical/mental illness, and whether they are taking prescription drugs recommended by medical practitioners. Only those candidates who are found to be healthy are eligible to appear for an interview.
However, the government is now saying that every candidate has the right to face an interview, and one’s health status should not be the criteria for judging one’s capability of clearing an interview.
According to Clause 60 of the Equality Bill, queries on health of candidates should be made only in cases of jobs where ones’ health status assumes great significance, like jobs in the army, navy, police force, etc. in all other cases, such questions are irrelevant, states the clause.
Paul Corry, Rethink’s Director of Public Affairs, is happy about this long-awaited amendment. He said that applicants who have been suffering from some sort of mental illness will now be able to prove their capabilities without facing any professional hindrance or obstacle just because they are (or have been) mentally disturbed.
It has been found from research that one’s mental health has little bearing on one’s productivity, and thus applicants with mental health problems can carry on with normal work lives without any negative impact on overall productivity of the organization.
Corry feels that this amendment will go a long way in changing the outlook of employers who have so far been judging productivity and eligibility solely on the basis of the candidate’s health.
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