The job and recruitment market has changed fairly dramatically over the last decade as the tendency for job hopping increases.
While the baby boomers happily spent a lifetime working with one or a handful of businesses, the average time spent with a single employer is now only a little over 4 years, and that is dropping fast.
As the next generations ascend the workforce employers can expect a much higher turnover of staff as our Gen Y’s and the generations following embark on a continual search for greener pastures.
This is stark news for businesses that are left paying the cost of ongoing recruitment and training of new staff.
There is however one untapped workforce providing a solution for business owners and employers.
People with a disability not only bring a range of different skills and experiences to the workplace, but also make a good business case for improving the bottom line.
The Australian government reports that employing a person with a disability can cost businesses as much as 13% less than other employees due to reduced rates of absenteeism and increased loyalty to employers.
Studies have even shown that people with a disability are less at risk of having an accident in the workplace with workers compensation costs at 4% lower than other workers.
But while employing people with a disability provides financial gains to business and enriches workplaces, attitudes of employers have a long way to go.
STEPS Employment Solutions Manager Lee-Anne Whalley said there were many preconceived notions about hiring people with disabilities that are simply not correct.
“Lots of employers we speak to believe employing someone with a disability is going to cost them in productivity or in workplace modifications, but that’s not the case”, Ms Whalley said.
“People with a disability can be just as productive, if not more productive in the workplace. And as far as workplace modifications go yes, some workplaces do require changes to suit the individual, but there is government assistance available and the changes made often benefit the company as a whole”.
Latest survey results from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show that while 2.2million Australians of working age have a disability, only 30% of those people will gain employment.
“The biggest barrier faced by people with a disability when looking for work is the stereotypes that still exist around disabilities’, Ms Whalley said.
If you would like to learn more about employing someone with a disability please contact us on employment@stepsgroup.com.au or 1300 078 377.
