The Overlooked Diamond in the Rough of our Labour Market

Author: Nicole   Mahieux of the Lethbridge Chapter Chamber Committee 

 

What is your organization doing this year to honor International Day of Persons with Disabilities? What have they done in the past? Did you even know this important day is just around the corner? In the interest of International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3rd, it is appropriate to highlight this untapped labour market. It is no surprise that there is a major labour shortage country wide. With the increase rates of baby boomers retiring, reduction in birth rates, reduced immigration and a shift to remote work, labor has become a concern on the forefront of many HR practitioner’s mind.

 

Hiring persons with disabilities is far beyond promoting an inclusive work environment, receiving Government funding and “checking a box” so-to-speak. This under represented labour market offers a multitude of different abilities and skills that are often overlooked. Individuals have the potential and desire to improve operations and ultimately the bottom line when given the opportunity. As per the US Department of Labor, employers that hired employees with a disability reported a 90% increase in employee retention. This percentage isn’t only due to the increased loyalty from the Individual with the disability, but also the non-disabled are more inclined to stay due to the workplace morale and the inclusivity of the employer. In fact, if you hired inclusively, you lower your turnover by 90%, so you now lose one employee per year on average. That’s a difference of $16,000 per year. According to Charlotte Gerber of the Journal of Rehabilitation, Individuals with disabilities, on average, have 1.24 fewer sick days per year than those without a disability. The goal is to cultivate a working environment where Individuals have the same rights and opportunities as others within our community. Not only because it is the right thing to do but also because of the business gains outlined above.

 

Everyone is different, but, for instance, employees with autism have been found to possess character strengths such as honesty and loyalty, attention to detail and mathematical and technical abilities, all of which have the potential to increase business performance.

 

Locally in Lethbridge, there are a few organizations that will be emphasized that support these initiatives. Firstly, is an organization called Catalyst which specializes in diversity and inclusion recruitment where they connect employers with candidates that will add value to their organization. They present companies with hidden talent that they may not have been privy to without their services. Based on the requirements of the employer and abilities of the Individuals they will work and support employers to ensure candidates are successful. 

 

The second organization to highlight is PEAK Employment Services. They work with individuals that have physical and/or mental disabilities. They help support people to find houses, jobs and offer day programs. Their goal is to be a leader in helping people with disabilities make choices in their lives based on their likes, skills and abilities. This is another great resource for employers looking to expand their horizon in terms of typical labor markets. Again, the emphasis is really accentuating and focusing on individuals abilities and really leaning into their strengths when it comes to different employment opportunities. 

 

The final organization worth noting locally would be Ability Employment. Ability connects with employers to identify their employment needs and then provides employment services to individuals with disabilities or experiencing medical barriers who are capable and willing to work. They will identify candidates for employers based on employers needs. Their services will result in saved time and money on hiring and training, save supervisory time and some training, and ultimately enhance the employer's image!

 

Lastly, below is by no means an inclusive list but merely suggestions of similar organizations that exist across the province worth noting in the larger cities: 

Calgary - Calgary Alternative Employment Services

Edmonton - Employ Abilities

Red Deer - Employment Placement & Support Services

Grande Prairie - Employ Abilities

 

 

Disability is a market. A market, by the way, that constitutes over half of Canadians. 54% of Canadians either have a disability or have someone important in their life with a disability. That is 54% of the general population who is called to action by something that supports the disability community.

 

To summarize, like Michelle Obama said, “Sameness breeds sameness”. If businesses continue to operate the way they always have they are doing themselves, alongside our communities, a disservice. Not only are they missing out on the chance to provide an individual with the opportunity to contribute to society in a value-added way, gain more meaningful experiences and empowerment in their life, but also the bottom line can be negatively impacted without this labor market. Take advantage of the organizations within your community that connect employers to this untapped resource of diverse talent. Not because you should but because you can!

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References: 

 

"Ability Employment." Ability,  https://abilityresource.ca/ability-employment