Are people with lower wellbeing more likely to lose their jobs, or move into long-term sick-leave, care or early retirement? Are they less likely to get back into work if unemployed? Wellbeing and mental health are distinct issues, and this review looked at both.
This review found international evidence to show that those with poor mental health are at greater risk of being out of work (for example, on sick leave) or unemployed, and therefore more likely to receive disability or unemployment welfare support. The evidence also shows that poor mental health may be particularly damaging for the employment prospects of young adults.
There is good evidence that transitions into and out of work affect wellbeing. But the evidence base is much sparser when it comes to the impact of our wellbeing on how likely we are to become unemployed or (re)employed. This review found international evidence to show that those with poor mental health are at greater risk of being out of work (for example, on sick leave) or unemployed, and therefore more likely to receive disability or unemployment welfare support. The evidence also shows that poor mental health may be particularly damaging for the employment prospects of young adults.
A larger evidence base is needed on whether targeting wellbeing itself is better than targeting other, more directly related factors, such as employability skills.
Are you going to be up to do the job, or will you just be out of your comfort zone?
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What are the key findings?
Where you see the following symbols it indicates:
qualitative
quantitative
strong
We can be confident that the evidence can be used to inform decisions.
promising
We have moderate confidence. Decision makers may wish to incorporate further information to inform decisions.
initial
We have low confidence. Decision makers may wish to incorporate further information to inform decisions.
Mental health issues
Mental health issues may decrease the likelihood of employment for working age adults.
Mental health issues in young individuals
Mental health issues in young individuals may adversely affect their employment trajectories in the future.
Experiencing mental health issues
Experiencing mental health issues might lead to early retirement.
Mental health issues are associated with an increased likelihood entry into receipt of welfare payments.
Mental health issues are associated with an increased likelihood entry into receipt of welfare payments.
Low levels of life satisfaction
Low levels of life satisfaction may lead to unemployment. But, once unemployed, people with low life satisfaction are more likely to search actively for jobs.
