What should I know?

Employability is a combination of factors and processes which enable people to progress towards or get into employment, to stay in employment and to move on in the workplace (Scottish Government, 2006)

There are clearly defined benefits to being in work including contributing to reducing poverty by providing an income.  An independent review by G Waddell & AK Barton 2006, clearly demonstrates being in good work is good for your health. Work has positive effects on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing.

As an employer, as well as assisting with the creation of a healthier more prosperous country, attending to employability issues within your organisation can help demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to diversity, improve the abilities of your existing staff, demonstrate the commitment to those people you are involved with, provide management and mentoring experiences and skills to the existing workforce, reduce staff turnover and improve attendance.

What should I do?

There are a number of different ways your organisation and staff can support people to secure employment, remain in work or move on in work.

• Pre employment activities – provide training such as job preparation skills, C.V. writing, interview techniques
• Advertise vacancies through Job Centre Plus and accept referrals from Job Centre Plus
• Develop links with employability agencies
• Work trials Work placement – offering a work trial can be a very effective way for employers to assess the skills of a potential new employee on a practical basis
• Provide support  to employees during the early stages of employment, i.e. a structured planned induction
• Achieve the Positive About Disabled People Award
• Review your existing policies in relation to recruitment, retention and staff development

Where can i get help?

New Resource August 2011 - Working Health Services Scotland is a national service aimed at helping people who are employed by small to medium sized companies (less than 250 employees) to stay in work and/or to make a speedy return to work following sickness absence. Download the information leaflet for your workplace on the right hand side of this page...

Additional Information
Job Centre Plus	http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/
Learn Direct Scotland	http://www.lds4b.com/
UKGovernment	http://www.direct.gov.uk/
Vocational Rehabilitation Service	Vocational Rehabilitation Doc