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A new change in the way people receive disability benefits came into force on 27 October 2008 when the Employment and Support Allowance replaced the current benefits paid to people over 16, to encourage their return to work and provide assistance to those already in a job. But is your business prepared to deal with the possible increase in applicants with health problems?
Since April 2008, the trial scheme Pathways to Work has been slowly introduced throughout the UK to assist people with health problems and provide both financial help and support to those in work by providing an additional £40 a week top-up to wages.
Employers considering employing people with health problems need to understand the requirements of the prospective employee and be prepared to work closely with health advisors to make the employment experience one that engages the person without over stressing them during the delicate phased return to work. The Pathways to Work scheme can help provide that support and assistance and this can also be supplemented by assistance from other organisations.
Changing attitudes
In the perfect employment environment, interview forms would welcome applications not only from people with various cultural backgrounds but also people with various health problems. It is important for employers to ensure that they do not discriminate against people because of their health.
Mental health issues are a particular challenge to employers because they are more difficult to assess than physical difficulties. However, this problem is likely to increase as the fall out from the banking crisis leads to a tougher employment market and higher levels of stress in the workplace.
As an employer, you should encourage applicants to be honest in disclosing any health problems. In this way there can be open and frank discussions about the issues and the way in which they might help or assist within the job role. For example, a health problem can actually give people additional skills and abilities from learning to cope with and overcome their problems.
Will it cost me money?
Whilst there may be some cost in relation to adjustments within the work place, it is important to remember that financial assistance can often be obtained through Government initiatives or dedicated organisations. Employers should engage the applicant in an open dialogue and not be afraid of offering a trial basis and a potentially phased re-introduction to the work place.
Applicants will have to balance the financial books of moving away from benefit to paid employment and this will always present some financial challenges if only doing work on a part-time basis. It is crucial that applicants understand the implications of part-time employment and employers need to be flexible in pay and benefit arrangements to help the applicant so that they do not immediately face the stress of financial survival.
Employers who want to make a contribution to the better health and welfare of a hard-pressed section of society should look at the positives to be drawn from employing people who have faced, and overcome, a life-challenging position in dealing with their health problems.
It will be challenging, but with the right help and support it could also be very rewarding, provided that the parties enter into the relationship with the right spirit of mutual honesty and co-operation, whilst seeking and using any support and advice that is available.
For more information on Pathways to Work, visit the Department for Work and Pensions website.
About the author
This article was written by Qdos Consulting, who provide the FPB's 24-hour legal helpline and legal expenses insurance package.
Our job application and equal opportunities template bundles include sample forms for applicants, which demonstrate good practice in dealing with health issues at the application stage. Members can download these free of charge and non-members pay a small fee.
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