BLACK EMPLOYEES with long-term health conditions (LTCS) are not being being provided with adequate support in comparison to other ethnic groups, a report has found.

Research from Black Thrive Lambeth’s Employment Project explores evidence that “systematic discrimination” prevents black people from securing quality employment opportunities.

The project, funded by Guy’s and St Thomas’s Charity, is expected to operate in the London Borough of Lambeth which has a 37% population of black residents – the highest of all London borough and the 22nd most deprived area of England.

The report found that rampant discrimination was found to result in poverty, poorer health and unequal access to education and employment.

While, current employment support models for black people with LTCs showed that practices are not providing them with the support and opportunities afforded to other groups of people, signalling serious failings in ethical, social, and financial responsibility.

Black people with LTCs face “double discrimination” as inequalities have only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic with barriers arising in “structural racism and ableism, and their intersections.”

The review also highlights education as an important factor for future employment prospects, but “evidence proves disadvantages occur throughout the educational pathway.” In addition, the report unearthed statistics that show “twice as many young Black graduates compared to their White counterparts were unemployed one year after graduation; and Black workers are twice as likely to have zero-hour contracts than White workers”.

The impact of losing out on “good work” results in low-quality of life and a missing sense of community for many black people. Their “mental health and self-esteem” was also found to be greatly impacted.

The report, based on scientific literature searches, reviewed the different models of employment support available and the evidence for their effectiveness to better support black people with LTCs.

This included supported employment, transitional employment, pre-vocational support and working with employers.

“Employment support services aiming to support Black people into employment need to be developed for and with Black people. Plus, an ageing population means that by 2030, most of the population will have a long-term health condition,” the report read.

“Intersectional employment support for Black people with LTCs is vital to a functioning and healthy society. The COVID-19 pandemic marks a turning point in history, coinciding with international anti-racist protest, leading to greater awareness of systemic racism in the UK.

However, it has also seen the development of worrying ableist attitudes about the relative worth of people with long-term health conditions and disabilities. Black Thrive’s employment project aims to improve employment outcomes for Black people in Lambeth with long-term physical and mental health conditions.

“The Good Work Report shares the importance of developing employment support systems for, and with, Black people, as well as the vital role peer support is likely to play in improving outcomes. Employers, and job seekers, will find guidance and support to help build a more inclusive workforce.”