Benefits for companies on hiring employees with disabilities
Inclusivity at work open doors for all of us to learn about the challenges that others face daily but also provides important opportunities for development of valuable skills that benefit both. People that have disabilities have tremendous resilience and problem-solving skills which can also give us ideas of how to manage our own challenges. At the same time collaborative work increases, and we learn to be more patient and understanding with those around us.
- Awareness of various disabilities which many of our dental patients have
- Creative problem solving
- Reduced turnover and increased retention
- Organisation and punctuality
- Employee loyalty
- Innovation
- Diverse patients and satisfaction
There is opportunity to drop our walls and share weaknesses in a safe and welcoming environment. We learn that it’s ok to ask for help not having to struggle alone due to the pressures of always being recognised as independent and self-sufficient. Diversifying staff creates a special space where meaningful relationships can be made and bring the whole team together.
There a numerous benefits on the other side too as highlighted by a systematic review analysing benefits of employment for people with disabilities.
- Increased quality of life
- Increased social network
- Increased self-confidence
- Source of income
- Sense of community
Why is it so important to expand our inclusion?
Looking at the above paragraph we can easily spot the difficulties that they encounter every day. They report to feel lonely often or always four times (13%) more than those without disabilities (3.4%) and this is the highest amongst 16-24 years old and 25-34 years old (around 30%) compared to those aged 65 or older (5%). This impacts their happiness, worthwhile and life satisfaction all measures that have lower ratings for disabled people when compared to non-disabled.
Disability does unfortunately affect a large amount of the population with nearly ONE in FOUR people of working age being classed as disabled. Most of them work in human health and social work sectors (17%), however many report low levels of support and difficulties in progressing careers.
How can managers support?
Communication and getting the team on board: increasing awareness to everyone about inclusivity and encouraging means of learning how to support their colleagues. Recommending training courses where team members can pick up knowledge and skills to use in work. Organising meetings, catch up sessions where everyone can communicate updates alongside social events foster an inclusive environment.
Encourage everyone to be an example. This start with the manager by setting an example of practicing inclusivity. This can be by communicating well, being patient, showing empathy and respect and speaking openly about disability. Disability is visible but can also be invisible.
Be aware of hidden impairments: Training courses, team discussions can be excellent means of spreading awareness of what is not necessarily visible. Examples include: autistic spectrum conditions, dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, dyscalculia, learning disabilities, stammering, Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis. More information about them can be found on gov.uk.
Regular check-ins and feedback sessions: these sessions help to assess the usefulness of the support provided and opportunity for adjustment. Encouraging them to share their experiences shows commitment to help them and satisfaction at work and can help managers learn to create an environment where they can thrive and grow.
Examples on adjustments in the dental practice:
- Ensuring full accessible premises
- Implementing a checklist system if anyone has accessibility needs prior to meetings (see Jessica's Moore, manager at Bupa Dental Care sharing her experience of living with Brittle bone disease)
- Flexible working including start and finish times and adaptable break time: this can help combat fatigue during the day/week, travel to work as well as time for hospital appointments or regular doctor reviews.
- Changes to working environment: such as provision of a quiet place to work
- Creation of an action plan with the person to help their support
Tips on how to recruit people with disabilities:
- Creating accessible job adverts: consider making font easy and large enough to read. Also offer alternative formats for applications like paper based.
- State that applicants from all section of the community are welcome to apply: be mindful of driving for example if not necessary for travel within the role.
- Only include skills and experience that are vital for the job
- Know the Equality Act 2010 and know what you can ask and do before and at the interview.
- Arrange a tour of the practice: this gives opportunity for the prospective employee to assess the working environment and meet the team.
- Be flexible with the interview format: for example allowing extra time
- Same standard questions for disabled and on-disabled candidates
- Inform them of flexible working patterns
- Speak to them rather than the support worker (if one is present).
Resources:
Disabled people in employment, 2024 https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-7540/
Employment of disabled people 2024
Jessica More story – Everyone has a part to play: creating inclusive workplaces https://dentistry.co.uk/2024/09/26/everyone-has-a-part-to-play-creating-inclusive-workplaces/
Disability: well-being and loneliness, UK: 2019
A systematic review of the benefits of hiring people with disabilities https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10926-018-9756-z
How to recruit disabled people – Employing disabled people and people with health conditions https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employing-disabled-people-and-people-with-health-conditions/employing-disabled-people-and-people-with-health-conditions#how-to-recruit-disabled-people
Employing disabled people and people with health conditions https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employing-disabled-people-and-people-with-health-conditions/employing-disabled-people-and-people-with-health-conditions