Business leaders missing benefits of disabled workforce
Suncorp Media Release
Ignorance of the benefits of employing people with disability is resulting in a significant missed opportunity for Australian business leaders.
“Despite the evidence that people with disability are productive, safe and reliable, for many employers this sector is simply not on the radar when it comes time to recruit,” said Mr Chris McHugh, Executive General Manager Statutory Portfolio with Suncorp Commercial Insurance.
“With ongoing skills shortages, an ageing workforce and tight margins, smart employers are waking up to the fact that many people with disability make excellent employees,” Mr McHugh said.
Addressing Suncorp’s latest Traumatic Injury and Disability Summit in Brisbane on Friday, Australia’s Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, addressed the low employment rates for people with disability in Australia. Workforce participation remains at approximately 54%, compared to 83% for the general population.
According to David Barbagallo, CEO of the Endeavour Foundation, a consequence of employers’ failure to include this sector of the community in their workforce is that Australia has the lowest personal income for people with disability in the OECD – 44% of those without a disability.
Mr Barbagallo also stated that 98% of people with disability have good or superior safety records and 90% record productivity rates greater or equal to others in the workplace.
Further, people with disability have significantly lower absenteeism and less use of personal leave than their colleagues, accounting for just 34% of the average cost of those without disability.
“Office-based service providers such as insurers and brokers are well placed to incorporate people with disability into their workforce,” said Mr McHugh.
“A change of mindset towards this issue can deliver business benefits for employers and transform the lives of people with disability and their carers.”
Speakers at the summit held on 14 September included Graeme Innes AM – Disability Discrimination Commissioner, David Barbagallo – CEO Endeavour Foundation, Fiona Anderson – Queensland State Coordinator Every Australian Counts, Assoc. Prof. Fiona Kumari Campbell PhD – Griffith University and Suzanne Colbert AM, AND – CEO Australian Network of Disability.
Background: The Traumatic Injury and Disability Summit series is hosted by Suncorp in conjunction with PwC. For more information visit: http://traumaticinjurydisabilitysummit.com.au
The Statutory Portfolio within Suncorp Commercial Insurance recently launched a disability recruitment program, aimed at creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities within Suncorp Commercial Insurance.
ENDS
For further information contact:
Rob White
External Communications Manager
Commercial Insurance
Suncorp
Ph. +61 02 8121 0467
Mob. 0411 881 887
Jake Krausmann
Senior Communications Advisor
Commercial Insurance
Suncorp
Ph. 02 8121 0469
Mob. 0411 409 074
jake.krausmann@suncorp.com.au
Do you have any thoughts? Please share them below