Transitional Employment: an Effective Employment Strategy for People with Severe Mental Illness

Despite the many challenges facing people with serious mental illness, returning to work is the number one dream of many people who live in Clubhouses, according to Clubhouse International.

A Clubhouse is a community-based mental health service that supports and empowers people through access to opportunities for employment, socialization, education, skill development, housing, and improved wellness, all within a single supported environment.

Clubhouses follow a “work-ordered day,” in which members and staff work side-by-side, as colleagues, to accomplish the tasks of running the Clubhouse. There is no hierarchy in a Clubhouse. People with a mental health disability are members, not "patients" or "cases"; and members and staff are collectively called colleagues.

Transitional Employment is a supported employment model provided to members of Clubhouses. Research shows positive employment outcomes for many members, including double the average employment rate compared to people in the public mental health system, plus longer on-the-job tenure for members engaging in transitional employment Macias et al.,1995.

What is Transitional Employment?

Transitional Employment is a highly structured program for Clubhouse members returning to work in local business and industry. It is the most supported form of supported employment available to members, allowing participants to gain or regain the skills and confidence necessary to work in a “real world” job.

The only requirement for a member to participate in transitional employment is the expressed desire to work.

Key Characteristics of Transitional Employment

Key characteristics of transitional employment include:

Desire to Work

• The desire of a member to work is the most important factor in determining placement opportunities.
• Placement opportunities continue to be available regardless of the level of success in previous placements.

Competitive Wages

• Members are paid the prevailing wage rate, but at least minimum wage, directly by the employer.

Part-Time and Limited

• Transitional employment placements are part-time and time-limited, generally 12 to 20 hours per week and from 6 to 9 months in duration.
• Once a member completes a placement, the Clubhouse chooses and trains a new member for the job.

Guaranteed Job Coverage

• The Clubhouse guarantees job coverage on all placements during member absences.

Placements Managed by Clubhouse Staff

• Placements are managed by Clubhouse staff and members, not by transitional employment specialists.

Clubhouse is Responsible for Job Position

• Members are direct employees of the employer; however, the Clubhouse has responsibility for the position and the job itself belongs to the Clubhouse.
• Good relationships between employers and the Clubhouse are essential. The employer trusts the Clubhouse to make good selections, train members, and provide adequate coverage.

Benefits to Members

Transitional employment placement provides Clubhouse members with a supported environment in which they can:

• Navigate employment alongside an advocate
• Establish a work history
• Explore work interests, aptitudes, and abilities
• Improve work skills
• Establish current references
• Develop confidence in work abilities
• Explore reasonable accommodations

Benefits to Employers

Transitional employment is as beneficial to employers as it is to workers. It provides:

• Guaranteed absence coverage, free of charge
• Management of turnover by providing new employees, prescreened and highly motivated, every 6 to 9 months for entry-level jobs
• Elimination of advertising or recruitment costs
• Immediate response and resolution of any employee issues
• Tax credits
• No employee benefits required
• Positive public image of community partnership and reducing stigma

Learn More About Clubhouses

There are over 350 Clubhouses in 32 countries offering hope and opportunities to people living with mental illness. Find a Clubhouse near you.