Benefits of employment Employment is a basic right of citizenship often taken for granted. Yet, many people with severe mental illness, through the non-availability of evidence-based services, are excluded from this basic right. Employment has many advantages for people. Besides earning an income, work provides opportunities for social interaction, a means of structuring and occupying time, enjoyable activity and involvement, and a sense of personal achievement (Rinaldi and Perkins 2004). People with a mental illness are sensitive to the negative effects of unemployment. For example, additional stigma, demoralization, loss of hope, social isolation and inactivity (Waghorn and Lloyd 2005). Employment is challenging, yet when successful, encourages people to maintain their mental health. The confidence developed from employment promotes recovery. In retrospect, many people with mental illness identify employment as crucial to their recovery process (Provencher et al. 2002).