Most companies believe that they have a small number of employees with disabilities, but a survey of nearly 28,000 employees in 16 countries found that 25% of people have a disability or health condition that limits a major life activity.
- The majority of companies underestimate the number of employees with disabilities in their workforce. In a survey of nearly 28,000 employees in 16 countries, BCG found that 25% of respondents reported having a disability or health condition that limits a major life activity. However, most companies (72%) report that only 4% to 7% of their employees have disabilities.
- Employees with disabilities report lower levels of inclusion in the workplace than their colleagues without disabilities. BCG's survey found that employees with disabilities are more likely to feel excluded from social activities at work, less likely to feel that their contributions are valued, and more likely to feel that they have to work harder to get ahead.
- There are a number of things that companies can do to improve the inclusion of employees with disabilities in the workplace. These include:
- Creating a culture of inclusion. This means making sure that all employees feel welcome and valued, regardless of their disability status.
- Providing reasonable accommodations. This means making changes to the workplace or to the way work is done to enable employees with disabilities to participate fully.
- Promoting awareness of disability issues. This means educating employees about disabilities and the challenges that people with disabilities face.
BCG concludes that by taking steps to improve the inclusion of employees with disabilities, companies can reap a number of benefits, including:
- Increased productivity. Employees with disabilities are just as productive as their colleagues without disabilities. In fact, some studies have shown that employees with disabilities may be more productive because they are more motivated to succeed.
- Reduced turnover. Employees with disabilities are less likely to leave their jobs than their colleagues without disabilities. This is because they are more likely to feel valued and included in their workplaces.
- Enhanced reputation. Companies that are seen as being inclusive of employees with disabilities are more likely to be attractive to top talent. They are also more likely to be seen as being socially responsible, which can boost their reputation with customers and investors.
Overall, BCG argues that there is a clear business case for companies to improve the inclusion of employees with disabilities in the workplace. By taking steps to create a more inclusive workplace, companies can reap a number of benefits, including increased productivity, reduced turnover, and enhanced reputation.
Published on May 10, 2023. Read the full BCG article here
