Hiring people who have an intellectual disability is good for business.
More than ever employers are discovering that hiring people who have an intellectual disability makes good business sense. Research supports this.
Surveys of employers reveal overwhelming benefits from hiring a person with an intellectual disability:
Hardworking 93%
Positive attitude 93%
Reliable 90%
Dedicated 90%
Good employee 86%
Long term employee 79%
Lower turnover – 5 times more likely to stay on the job
Part of the team 79%
Good work ethic 76%
Will work part-time 76%
Increased workforce diversity 69%
Studies also show that 97% of employees who have an intellectual disability rate average or above average in terms of safety on the job.
Other benefits to the employer include access to an untapped labour pool.
Baby boomer retirements and shortage of skilled workers are two major challenges facing the Canadian workforce. Severe workforce shortages are projected in Ontario in the next several years.
However, those are projections and the outlook doesn’t need to be dire. Ontario employers can improve the labour climate by building more diverse, inclusive and accommodating workplaces that use the skills and talents of a diverse population.
Many Canadian employers are required to comply with the federal Employment Equity Act. Hiring workers who have a disability will help those employers meet their compliance requirements.
People who have an intellectual disability are capable of many different types of jobs:
Customer Service
Hospitality
Food Preparation
Clerical
Computer
Janitorial/maintenance
Data Entry
Assembly/Manual Labour
Many Canadians who have an intellectual disability also have abilities and skills needed in the workplace. For employers, hiring people who have an intellectual disability is more than “doing the right thing.” It can also be a necessary ingredient for a company’s viability and success in a competitive marketplace.
There are resources to help, such as supported employment services that specialize in matching people who have a disability to the available job opportunity and in assisting employers with on-the-job training and workplace modifications.
Employers have much to gain by hiring qualified and skilled people who have an intellectual disability.
It’s good business.
For more information please email or contact 416-447-4348 or 1-800-278-8025
