Reasonable Accommodation at the Workplace for Professionals with Severe Mental Illness: A Qualitative Study of Needs

Professionals with Severe Mental Illness (PwSMI) often face challenges in obtaining and retaining employment. For equal and effective participation, they may require reasonable workplace adjustments. The recently legislated Rights of Persons With Disabilities Act 2016 in India defines such adjustments as reasonable accommodations.

In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 15 consenting PwSMI availing psychiatric rehabilitation services at a tertiary mental health institute in India, five mental health professionals, and five employers. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and coded manually by two independent investigators. Inductive content analysis approach was used for qualitative analysis.

The detected themes included modifications in work schedule, supports to improve work efficiency, modifications in the work environment, modifications in the work-related appraisal, supportive employer policy, and integration of services. The participants described the term "undue burden" to be ambiguous.

The reported reasonable accommodations are non-structural and mainly dependent on human assistance. Vocational rehabilitation and job reintegration efforts can focus on guided negotiations between employers and PwSMI. This is dependent on at least some degree of disclosure. Awareness regarding reasonable accommodation and stigma reduction is necessary for successful implementation.