Counting on workers with disabilities

Citation

Wells, S.J. (2008), "Counting on workers with disabilities", Human Resource Management International Digest, Vol. 16 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/hrmid.2008.04416fad.003

Counting on workers with disabilities

Article Type: Abstracts From: Human Resource Management International Digest, Volume 16, Issue 6

Wells S.J.HRMagazine (USA), April 2008, Vol. 53 No. 4, Start page: 45, No. of pages: 5

Purpose – Cites the example of Walgreen, a US company that has given the managers of its new distribution centers the goal of ensuring that one-third of the workforce are disabled, and asks why other companies are ignoring the talents of disabled workers. Design/methodology/approach – Explains the approach taken by Walgreen to employing people with disabilities. Quotes statistics to show the under-representation of disabled people within the US workforce and the low earnings experienced by those in work. Discusses the barriers that disabled people face in the labor market and gives advice to human resource managers about how to alter their recruitment and employment practices to ensure that they do not discriminate against disabled people. Also suggests actions that they can take to encourage disabled people to apply for jobs. Findings – Underlines that there is no business reason for not employing disabled people and urges US human resource managers to take active steps to recruit people with disabilities to their workforces. Practical implications – Outlines some of the steps that they can take to increase the number of disabled people employed in their organizations. Originality/value – Makes the case for employing disabled workers .ISSN: 1047-3149 Reference: 37AK589

Keywords: Disabled people, Employment, Recruitment, Discrimination, United States of America