The statistics of disability within our community are becoming more widely known, with an estimated one in five Australians living with some form of disability or health condition[i]. People with disability aged 15-64 are twice as likely to be under employed compared to people without disability.[ii] The question is, why? Part of the answer could be people who live with disability or health conditions may not feel comfortable to be honest with their employer and may choose not to share information about the challenges they face in the workplace. Therefore, they might be looked over to receive additional training or promotion or viewed as “not as capable” when compared to their counterparts. In reality, they just require tailored support to maximise their skills and abilities.
atWork Australia are a leading employment services provider, supporting people with disability, injury, illness or disadvantage to find meaningful employment opportunities. A key element in assisting people to overcome their barriers to find employment is advocating for and supporting individuals to get the right support in the workplace. Although, the first step to getting the required support is ensuring a person with disability has the confidence to openly share information about their barriers without fear of discrimination.
As a Nation there are signs of positive changes in the diversity and inclusion space, however, statistics indicate that what is being done, is not enough. The latest statistics released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare indicated that 46% of the complaints received by the Human Rights Commission in 2022-23 were about disability discrimination[iii]. A more staggering statistic highlighting that more drastic change is required for the way disability is viewed in our workplaces and communities is with evidence showing that in 2018, 44% of respondents who live with disability said that they avoided situations because of their disability[iv]. I ask you to stop and consider this. People are actively choosing to avoid situations because of how others treat them. Consider how this would impact your ability to engage with the workforce if this was your reality.
Discrimination occurs when a person or group of people are treated less favorably due to their background or personal differences. For those impacted by discrimination it has an overwhelming impact on everyday life, impacting their ability to engage in education, social activities and employment opportunities.
atWork Australia Disability Employment Services client, Guy, maintained employment in the field of Health and Safety for a significant period of his life, gaining various qualifications and progressing to senior positions within his field. Unfortunately, Guy experienced an injury which limited the function of his hands, forcing him out of his previous position and led to a period of 12 months of unemployment.
atWork Australia tailored their services to meet Guy’s requirements, he already held extensive qualifications and was well connected within his industry. However, due to his injury, he was lacking both motivation and confidence to return to work.
With the support of atWork Australia, Guy has successfully returned to work and now holds a position as a National Health and Safety Manager for a large, local, multinational organisation. Guy was well qualified for the role and had the relevant experience to be successful in his new position. Based on social stigma and expectations Guy chose not to share information with his employer about his previous health barriers. His rationale behind this was ensuring he put his best foot forward on skill and ability alone. Guy commented, “I chose not to share information as I didn’t want to be looked at less favorably. I knew I could do the job and I wanted the employer to focus on my experience and abilities.”
Now that Guy is in a senior leadership position and is responsible for the health and safety of their workforce, he strongly encourages people to share information about any challenges they are facing in their professional or personal lives. He wants to ensure he creates a work environment where people feel supported to share information rather than be afraid that honesty about their condition could hold them back. Guy continued, “I like to sit down and get to know people. Find out what they do at home, on the weekends and what their interests are. It helps me better understand their behavior at work. From there we can put supports in place, such as mental health plans or connecting with our Employee Assistance Program. I want my team to be happy to come to work and go home in a better position.”
Employers have a legal obligation to provide reasonable adjustments for an employee who lives with disability to allow them to work productively, safely and ensure they can fully participate in the workplace. However, for a person living with disability to get the support they need to thrive in the workplace, they need to be in a workplace that values diversity and inclusion. A workplace where employees are encouraged to speak openly about the support they need and are valued for the unique differences they bring to the workplace.
atWork Australia are dedicated to supporting people from diverse backgrounds to secure meaningful employment, supporting individuals to thrive in a workplace that is free of discrimination. Giving every Australian the opportunity to achieve their employment goals and aspirations is a key focus of what we do each and everyday.
References
[i] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/people-with-disability/prevalence-of-disability
[ii] https://australiandisabilitynetwork.org.au/resources/disability-statistics/#:~:text=over%20half%20(56.1%20per%20cent,%5B1%5D
[iii] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/justice-and-safety/disability-discrimination
[iv] https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/disability/people-with-disability-in-australia/contents/justice-and-safety/disability-discrimination