Appointment Choice and Outcome at a Supported Employment Agency

A 3-month study of 94 clients at a supported employment agency in London, Ontario, examined the significance of appointment choice in successful job placement. Clients who had been in conflict with the law were least likely to be appointment compliant, while social assistance recipients mandated to attend were the most likely to put off their initial agency visit and also most likely to terminate contact with the employment support service within 60 days. Younger clients were given more choice selecting a meeting time in the study than were older clients. Likewise, clients with a developmental delay or learning disability had more choice in selecting an initial appointment than did those with no disability, a physical challenge, or a mental health issue. It was observed that clients who were given a choice of meeting dates who selected an earlier rather than a later initial appointment did not have greater success in finding employment compared to those who opted for a later meeting date.