Mental disorders: what are the consequences for job retention?

Summary Approximately 12% of women and 6% of men aged 30 to 55, who were working in 2006, declared that they suffered from at least one mental disorder (generalized anxiety disorder or characterized depressive episode). Among these people, more than 20% mention an activity limitation, about 45% say they suffer from a chronic illness and nearly half consider themselves to be in poor health. Job retention is less frequent in the population reporting mental disorders. In fact, 86% of women and 82% of men with mental disorders remained in employment in 2010, compared with 92% and 93% respectively of people without mental disorders. For men, with similar socio-demographic and employment characteristics, suffering from a generalized anxiety disorder in 2006 reduces the chances of keeping a job in 2010. On the other hand, for women, mental health does not affect their professional trajectory, all other things being equal. It is the declared activity limitations that most increase the risk of not keeping one's job.