Unum conference highlights the benefits of employing disabled members of staff
By Lucy Quinton
Businesses were advised to consider the advantages of employing people with impairments at Unum's Beginnings Conference last month.
Dr Sayeed Khan, chief medical adviser at the Manufacturers' Organisation, said there were numerous advantages of working with disabled people. He argued firms that employ disabled people benefit as they have a tendency to stay in jobs longer, have better absence and sickness records, and often have enhanced additional skills such as problem solving.
Dr Khan added firms should move away from the sick note culture and focus on fit note culture development.
"If a person is off for six months there is a 90% chance they won't work again," he said. There should be a focus on what is preventing companies from employing disabled people and not on the diagnosis. To do this, Dr Khan said: "Companies must raise awareness, change behaviour, change culture and get rid of the 'it's not my problem' ethos."
Liz Sayce, chief executive at Radar, said the key was knowing about facilities available in the workplace. "An employer may know about these but the key is letting employees know what options are available to them," she said, adding that the sharing of success stories was a powerful tool in giving hope and aiding the recovery process.
Sayce predicted that in 2020 elementary jobs will decline by one million, almost half of all jobs will require a degree. She added: "Disabled people will be left behind if they don't get advice regarding getting on and getting qualifications."
