Nearly half of employers hesitant to hire individuals with mental health conditions

67% noted that non-disclosure practices are the main reason. 

Nearly half (45%) of Singaporean employers are hesitant to employ individuals with mental health conditions, according to the ASEAN Workplace Wellbeing 2024 Report which surveyed 585 human resource (HR)  professionals across Southeast Asia (SEA).

However, Singaporean companies claim to have the most inclusive hiring policies (89%) compared to the regional average (68%), underscoring a critical gap between policy implementation and practical outcomes.

Employers said that non-disclosure practices (67%) are the main reasons why they do not hire these individuals followed by limited mental health awareness (24%), negative employee attitudes (10%), and management's reluctance to accommodate flexible working conditions (5%).

In contrast, smaller SEA markets including Vietnam (86%), Thailand (87%) and the Philippines (65%) lead the region in hiring such individuals. 

SEA HR professionals are prioritising communication and inclusivity, (56%) and training managers on mental health literacy (56%), reflecting a shift towards management changes. 

Additionally, 65% of organisations in the region have introduced mental health literacy trainings, whilst 60% implemented wellbeing policies and practices.

In Singapore, only 15% reported offering mental health resources. Whilst 93% communicate mental health programmes, only 10% of employees engage with these services, far below the regional average of 47%.

The report urged Singaporean companies to start by training recruiters and hiring managers to address these challenges. They must ensure that mental health resources are accessible and tailored to meet employees’ needs.