Only one in five (20%) employers set targets for the number of disabled employees they would like, according to research from the Business Disability Forum (BDF).
The report, State of the Nation: Retaining and Developing Employees with Disabilities, found that number was even lower in the public sector, at just 7%.
However, public sector employers are more likely than private sector employers to have employee networks for their staff with disabilities (80% compared with 50%), and to take account of differences in employee engagement scores between workers with disabilities and those without (75% compared with 50%).
The study reported a lack of skilled and confident line managers as a major barrier to the retention of employees with disabilities. A lack of targeted development opportunities and recruitment practices, and not enough awareness of disability in the workplace were also cited.
Director of policy, services and communications for BDF, George Selvanera said: “As inclusive and open-minded employers, we have a responsibility to ensure recruitment processes are accessible to all and that everyone is made to feel equal and valued in the workplace."
He added: “It is only once we break down these barriers and dispel the myths surrounding disability that we will reap the countless business benefits of an inclusive and diverse workforce.”
CEO of BDF partner de Poel Community, Matthew Sanders said the focus should be on “visibility, instilling confidence in your line managers, consistency in key policies, a flexible workplace adjustment process and providing targeted development opportunities".
“For any business – whether you are a small organisation or large blue chip, local or UK-wide, operating in the private, public or third sector – you can make a huge difference in the retention and development of disabled employees,” he added.
VERCIDA works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with VERCIDA to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please call 02037405973 or email info@vercida.com for more information.
We are also officially recommended by Disability Confident as a step on achieving Employer status, pleaseclick herefor more information.
VERCIDA works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work
environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with VERCIDA to promote your
diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please email
info@vercida.com for more information.
0%
Profile
completeness
Did you know that users who have filled in their profile details are 42 times more likely to get matched with the right employer?
Help us find the best workplace for you by sharing more about yourself.
We will never disclose your information with others.
Personal disability stories: Michael's story - making the comeback count
Michael
Whoever you are, sometimes really bad stuff happens to you. When it does, you want to come back from it and comebacks can take a long time, with many twists and turns.
In 2005, training for th...
The Capita Ability Network and the importance of disability inclusivity
To mark International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) Andy Start, CEO of Capita Government Services and Executive Committee sponsor of the Capita Ability Network (CAN) spoke to Damian Riley, M...
Siemens UK HQ - Manchester, England
People with disabilities have often developed resilience, adaptability and enhanced problem-solving skills in addition to their natural talents. These qualities ha...
Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. As an employer, we take our commitment to disability inclusion seriously. It is an important part of who we are.
We know the value of diver...