Employers urged to hire people with disabilities
Apprehension about discrimination claims — as well as health and safety concerns — were “major issues” for employers when it came to them hiring people with disabilities, according to legal expert Terence McCrann.
Statistics show fewer than four in 10 people with disabilities employed in the Irish workforce — despite a major drop in unemployment rates over recent years.
The 2002 Census showed 108,000, or just over 40%, of people aged 15-64 with a disability or health problem in employment.
But employing people with disabilities can significantly benefit organisations, according to Mr McCrann of Dublin-based solicitors McCann FitzGerald.
“It has been shown that people with disabilities are extremely reliable employees and contrary to preconceived notions, absenteeism is much higher in other categories of staff compared to those with disabilities.”
He was speaking at the launch of the firm’s report, Employing People with Disabilities, Legal Issues.
The Equality Authority 2005 report showed 954 case files relating to disability issues. They involved allegations of a failure by employers and service providers to provide reasonable accommodation to facilitate access by employees and customers with disabilities.
A spokesperson for employers’ body IBEC said the organisation had been very proactive on the issue.
“We do recognise they have a lot of abilities and a lot to contribute to the workplace. We have produced guidelines for job seekers with disabilities as well as guidelines for employers about recruitment and retention of people with disabilities,” the IBEC spokesperson said.
Alcoholism, epilepsy, depression and other mental health issues are now legally classified as disabilities.
Last month, junior employment minister Tony Killeen launched a sectoral plan aimed at increasing employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Information: www.mccannfitzgerald.ie
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