How employers surveyed in Southeast Asia are approaching inclusivity in hiring

Smaller Southeast Asian markets, including Vietnam (86%), Thailand (87%) and the Philippines (65%) lead the region in actively hiring individuals with mental health conditions.

Close to half (45%) of organisations surveyed in Singapore have expressed hesitation to "actively employ" people with mental health conditions, while 26% are unsure if their companies actively employ such individuals — a number that was higher than the regional average.

Titled ASEAN Workplace Wellbeing 2024, the survey by Intellect gathered insights from 585 HR professionals across Southeast Asia’s private and non-profit sectors in 2024 and aims to explore current workplace wellbeing practices, awareness levels, accessibility of resources, and stakeholder perspectives within the private sector across ASEAN. 

In contrast to the Singapore figures above, the study found that smaller Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam (86%), Thailand (87%), and the Philippines (65%) lead the region in actively hiring individuals with mental health conditions.

Disparities in employment and workplace support for people with mental health conditions  

Besides those in Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines, more than 50% of respondents either refrain from actively hiring individuals with mental health conditions or express uncertainty about such practices in their respective countries. 

While the majority of HR professionals who do hire individuals with mental health conditions rate their organisations as successful in fostering inclusivity and providing support, qualitative feedback indicates there is still considerable room for improvement in achieving genuine inclusivity. 

For those who do hire individuals with mental health conditions, significant gaps exist in the implementation of inclusive policies and practices, particularly in Myanmar and the Philippines. In Myanmar, a lack of training for managers and team members (25%) stands out, along with deficiencies in other inclusive practices (50%).  

In the Philippines, scheduling accommodations are limited, with only 26% of companies offering them. Further, 6% of organisations report having no inclusivity practices in place, despite hiring employees with mental health conditions. 

On the other hand, countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand are leading in various inclusive practices. Singapore rated high for inclusive hiring policies (89%) and workplace adjustments (78%), while in Malaysia, there is an emphasis on career planning, workload support, and workplace adjustments (both 76%). Thailand also demonstrates a strong approach, with balanced efforts in hiring policies (62%), workplace adjustments (68%), and training (74%). 

Among those who do not hire individuals with mental health conditions or are uncertain, common barriers such as lack of awareness, resistance, and stigma remain prevalent. However, factors such as non-disclosure practices and infrastructural challenges further complicate inclusive hiring efforts across the region. 

READ MORE: More people in Singapore are seeking help from healthcare professionals for their mental health: NPHS 2023 survey

Lead image / ASEAN Workplace Wellbeing 2024