General Attitudes towards Employment of Individuals with Mental Disabilities in Israeli Society: The Employers' Perspectives

This article presents the findings of the first stage of a study conducted on employment of mentally disabled people in Israel. The research was conducted during the years 2011-2012, with the aim to develop an evidence-based understanding of how Israeli society perceives employment of mentally disabled people in order to develop a model of integrating them within the workplace, with social work in mind. This model can inform policy makers and best practice within social work. The research adopted a qualitative research approach, and employed semi-structured interviews with 29 employers and employees. Content analysis yielded ten categories that showed a dual perception of willingness to embrace mentally disabled people into the workplace and perceiving them as equals with potential to contribute to society on the one hand, but on the other hand, expressing economical difficulties and prejudice towards their employment. These results might point to a need to institutionalize mentally disabled people's employment, both economically, using incentives for employers, and by providing support and guidance, by campaigning their right for work and for their inclusion in society.

Keywords: mental disability, employment of mentally disabled people, prejudice, the right for work, work