March 2005

 

The focus on getting more women into the workforce has been accompanied by government movement on employment for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses. But disability discrimination in hiring practices is still being freshly reported.

 

People with disabilities are bringing a wide range of skills and abilities to New Zealand workplaces, according to a survey of working disabled people conducted by the EEO Trust.

Respondents were most likely to be working in professional roles and most worked 30-40 hours per week. However:

• 61% of respondents had experienced problems trying to find a job

• the main problem they experienced was not getting an interview

• three-quarters of respondents wanted employers recruiting people to focus on the abilities of applicants and the needs of the job rather than the disability.

 

“The main employment issue people with disabilities face relates to the attitudes of other people rather than access or technology issues,” EEO Trust Chief Executive Philippa Reed said. After building on new health-support services and direct work-brokerage programmes for people on the Sickness and Invalids Benefits last year, the Ministry of Social Development is now in the early stages of developing a support service that will encourage and help employers hire and retain staff with disabilities. MSD kicks off its consultations with an Employers’ Summit on 15 March, hosted by Minister for Disability Issues Hon Ruth Dyson, who said the summit will focus on the business value of an equal opportunity environment: “It is not that employers are doing a person with ill health or disability a favour …these clients have a huge amount to offer, and employers stand to gain a great deal.”

 

The business case for employing people with disabilities will be further explained this week by Australian consultant Margherita Coppolino, and CEO of Westpac New Zealand Ann Sherry. Ms Coppolino is one of Australia’s best-known and most influential disability and diversity consultants, with an eye for the commercial benefits of diverse workplaces.

 

“Businesses need to realise that a change in attitude may make a huge difference to their organisation. The challenge is set for them to expand their labour force through employing people they might not have considered in the past,” said Ms Coppolino.