The case for including people with disability in a diverse workforce is compelling. Employers of people with disability have consistently found that they tend to have better attendance records, stay with employers longer and have fewer accidents at work. Most only require minimal and very basic adjustments at work, and staff morale and team relationships are enhanced.
However, people with disability have suffered from persistent employment disadvantage. Regardless of their qualifications they are more likely to be unemployed, to move out of full-time into part-time work, and to be paid less than colleagues without disability so Careers and employment services have a lot to offer in assisting students with disability.
It is good business sense to employ people with disability. Low unemployment levels and the current skills shortage mean that Australian businesses must work harder than ever to build a skilled and unified team.
- 90% of employers of people with disability said they would be happy to continue to do so
- 90% of employees with disability have average or superior productivity rates
- 98% have average or superior safety records
- 86% have average or superior attendance records
Employers don’t need to make expensive changes to accommodate an employee with disability; you may simply need to be flexible about how things are done. Creating a flexible workplace will make your company more attractive to a range of people, including single parents, speakers of English as a second language, and older workers.
Graffam, Shinkfield, Smith and Polzin. “Employer Benefits and Costs of Employing a Person with a Disability.” Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation 17 (2002): 251-63.