Original Paper

Opinion of Headhunters about the Ability of Strabismic Subjects to Obtain Employment
Stefania Margherita Mojon-Azzi^a, Daniel Stéphane Mojon<sup>b

a</sup>Research Institute for Labour Economics and Labour Law, University of St. Gallen, and
^bDepartment of Strabismology and Neuro-Ophthalmology, Kantonsspital, St. Gallen, Switzerland

Address of Corresponding Author

Ophthalmologica 2007;221:430-433 (DOI: 10.1159/000107506)

  Key Words

• Strabismus
• Psychosocial aspects
• Job application
• Telephone interview

  Abstract

Background: Through the opinion of Swiss headhunters, we wanted to determine the influence of strabismus on the ability to obtain employment. Methods:Out of 31 randomly selected Swiss headhunters, 20 could be interviewed using a validated questionnaire. Results: Forty-seven percent of the headhunters judged that strabismic subjects have more difficulties in obtaining a job. Gender has no influence on discrimination (p > 0.1). Asked about six facial disfigurements, strabismus was found to have the second largest negative impact on employment directly after acne. Strabismus was estimated to decrease the attractiveness of job applicants (p < 0.0001) and to have a negative impact on the overall judgment of a potential employer (p < 0.05). Conclusions:Visible strabismus influences negatively the ability to obtain a job. Because of its impact on the employability of a person, we believe that strabismus surgery in adults cannot be considered to be only a beautifying procedure.

Copyright © 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Daniel S. Mojon, MD, FEBO, EMHSA
Department of Strabismology and Neuro-Ophthalmology
Kantonsspital
CH-9007 St. Gallen (Switzerland)
Tel. +41 71 494 2820, Fax +41 71 494 2882, E-Mail daniel.mojon@kssg.ch

  Article Information

Number of Print Pages : 4
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 10