ABSTRACT
The resistance put up by most employers against hiring anyone with a history of mental illness is deep seated and well known. It was spelled out by John Martin, who in his study Offenders as Employees listed eighteen reasons given by employers for turning down men applying for jobs. A history of mental illness came third in the list, after ‘straightforward lack of ability’ and ‘physical health’ and ahead of the knowledge that the applicant had a criminal record. But some employers do accept these applicants, and to find out why they do, and why some do it more successfully than others, were among the reasons for undertaking the research programme.
