Why Companies Are Hiring More People With Disabilities?
The month of October is usually a month to talk about employment and disability. It is recognized as the National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in the United States. It is great that a day has been set aside in some countries to create awareness about the employment concerns of people with disabilities. Many companies get to hear more about disability and employment topics during this period. Civil right groups take the time to create awareness by enlightening employers and companies in the country on the need to attend to the employment of people with disabilities.
With the sensitization reaching many quarters, companies now see reasons to employ people with physical challenges. On the varied reasons why companies may have for hiring more people with disabilities, these ones may be common:
To Get Tax Credits Or Incentives
In some countries in Europe, employers of persons with disability are given incentives such as funds to help them make adjustments in the company to accommodate such people in their workforce. In the US, businesses which are qualified can get tax credits to help them accommodate employees who have disabilities. Most of the tax credits are given for expenditure made on modifications of the office building to make the structure accessible to the challenged. Cost of adaptive equipment and furniture are also provided for in the credit.
To Build A Unique Brand And Reputation
Accommodating the physically challenged in a company helps to strengthen a company’s image and brand. Companies that employ the physically challenged are seen to be sensitive to people living around their community. This also makes the company stand out in the crowd as an all-inclusive organization that cares for all. Employing people with disability improves diversity. People with disability bring some benefits to the workplace. They give some new initiatives and help on how to reach other members of the physically challenged community better. This is good for marketing which eventually helps sales.
To Uphold Civil Right Laws
Another good reason why companies are increasingly hiring people with disability is in a bid to stay on the right side of the law. Governments in different countries have civil right laws on disability to cater to the need of this group of people in the society. It is required in some countries for every company to have a percentage of the workforce for people with disabilities.
The Americans with Disability Act (ADA) was passed into law in 1990. The civil right law forbids discrimination against people with disabilities in every area of public life such as in schools, jobs, transportation and in every other public place.
Low Employment Cost
In some quarters, the employment cost for people with disability is much lower than for other employees. The Australian government reported that it can be as low as 13% for employees with disabilities in their country. Workers’ compensation may also be low when compared to other employees who are not disabled. The report had a 4% less of the compensation cost of other employees who are not challenged.
There are many reasons why companies are employing the disabled. It can be argued that the disabled are better employees. One thing for sure is that the challenged are getting jobs. Is your company an all-inclusive one? If not, it is time to make it one by employing people with disabilities to take advantage of the benefits.
