Public-Private Partnership Promotes Employment of Disabled Workers

Employers are increasingly recognizing the contributions that people with disabilities can make to their organizations, and many businesses are looking for ways to increase the participation of people with disabilities within their companies. A new public-private initiative is designed to help businesses achieve that goal. At a recent “CEO Summit” on the employment of people with disabilities, top-level business executives got together with government officials to share experiences and best practices for reducing barriers to employment and to raise awareness about the benefits of increasing workforce participation.

Drug retailer Walgreens hosted the summit in its Windsor, Connecticut, distribution plant, where half of the employees have disabilities. Representatives from some of America’s largest companies, including Wal-Mart, Procter & Gamble, Best Buy, OfficeMax and UPS, attended the summit. Participants plan to bring their message to more venues, including the U.S. Business Leadership Network in October.

Walgreens points to the success of its Connecticut distribution facility as an example of what an inclusive workforce can achieve. The facility has been 20% more productive than the company’s other facilities and has had less absenteeism, lower turnover and an excellent record of safety. The company’s goal is to fill 20% of all of its distribution-center jobs with people with disabilities.

WeComply’s online diversity training program teaches employees about diversity laws, while demonstrating the ways that diversity is good for business and stressing the importance of treating everyone with respect. The online ADA training course explains the essential requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act in easily understood terms.

Categories: Workplace Compliance, Discrimination & Harassment Compliance
Tags: ADA, Workplace Diversity