I’ll start with the good news: Many organizations are employing a greater number of persons with disabilities than ever before. Many have committed to a deeper understanding of what inclusion means for persons with disabilities, subgroups therein (such as persons with neurological disorders), and other communities (race, gender, LGBTQ, and so on) and have been taking steps to create supportive business climates for all. Many are doing so because they’re aware that there is a proven business case for hiring persons with disabilities. Many believe they’ve made significant progress: In Accenture’s most recent global survey on the topic, 67% of the nearly 1,750 business executive respondents said they believe their companies support employees with disabilities, including having the right technologies in place to do so and the right environment.
Make It Safe for Employees to Disclose Their Disabilities
Only 20% of employees with disabilities feel that their workplace culture is fully committed to helping them thrive and succeed, according to a recent survey.
June 28, 2021
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Summary.
An Accenture survey found that the vast majority of employees with disabilities don’t feel their workplace culture is fully committed to helping them thrive and succeed. This article offers five steps that organizations can take to make such disabilities feel so safe and included that they will be willing to disclose their conditions. And that’s important: The research found that employees who do disclose their disability at work are 30% more engaged — in terms of career satisfaction and aspirations, confidence, and a sense of belonging — than those who don’t.
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New!
HBR Learning
HBR Learning
Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Course
Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
How to build a better, more just workplace.