A Beneficial Workforce Strategy: Hiring Employees with Disabilities

In his article entitled, 10 Key Benefits of Hiring Employees with Disabilities,” Randy Crabtree highlights the point that many times those doing the hiring are not looking in the right places as many people don’t think to strategize and focus their efforts on hiring professionals with disabilities. “…People with disabilities have long been excluded from or underrepresented in the workforce based on low expectations and preconceived notions about their capabilities,” Crabtree writes.  Hiring professionals with disabilities is simply put, smart business, and here’s some of the reasons why:

1)    The unique perspective disabled workers bring to the table fosters diversity and innovation.

2)    Employee motivation is notably higher, and absenteeism is notably lower per supporting research.

3)    Companies committed to hiring disabled workers found significant improvements in retention ranging from 14% to 130%.

4)    Disabled workers represent an underutilized pool of talent as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report current, “…available labor does not include at least 10 million Americans.”

5)    Employers could experience up to a 77% decrease in costs associated with workers’ compensation.

6)    Businesses that are deemed “inclusive” are highly preferred by consumers as well as those seeking employment alike.

7)    Compliance with mandates as federal contractors must demonstrate how they support the hiring, growth, and retention of disabled professionals.

8)    Supporting data shows an increase in operational productivity up to 20%.

9)    Companies that seek out employees with disabilities perform better than those who do not including having up to 28% higher earnings and 30% higher profit margins.

10) Because the government recognizes the benefits of hiring disabled professionals as well as potential costs associated with workplace accommodations, federal and state tax incentives are offered.

To get more in-depth information about these benefits, please check out the full article.

Source: Crabtree, Randy. “10 key benefits hiring employees with disabilities.” accountingTODAY: September 15, 2021., https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/10-key-benefits-of-hiring-employees-with-disabilities. Accessed Oct. 22, 2021.