Strength in Diversity: Strategies for Attracting Employees with Disabilities

In today’s fiercely competitive job market, companies are constantly striving to attract and retain top talent. An important and often underutilized source of skilled workers is the community of individuals with disabilities. A study conducted by Accenture reveals that companies which  prioritize the hiring and support of disabled individuals, consistently enjoy higher profitability, better shareholder returns, and stronger overall  performance than  competitors who do not do so. Yet, drawing in employees with disabilities entails more than simply advertising job openings. In this article, Enable_All, the ERG in Xerox supporting people with disabilities, shares strategies that may  assist companies in attracting and retaining talented employees with disabilities.

Practice Inclusive Recruitment

In order to attract a diverse pool of talent, it is crucial to update your recruitment strategies to be more inclusive. This may involve reaching out to disability-specific job boards, partnering with disability organizations, and utilizing accessible platforms for job applications. In fact, research shows that companies which  prioritize inclusive hiring often have better financial performance.

Focus on Skills and Qualifications

Job descriptions play a key role in attracting qualified candidates. When writing job descriptions, companies should use inclusive language that emphasizes the skills and qualifications needed for the position, rather than physical requirements which  may unintentionally exclude people with disabilities. This approach broadens the pool of potential candidates and highlights the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Fund Continuing Education

One of the most effective ways to attract talented employees with disabilities is by offering continuing education funding. By providing access to a wide range of online learning programmes, such as popular in-demand,  specific targeted courses, companies can show their commitment to the professional development of their employees. Xerox does this by implementing our learning programmes across all areas of the business and ensuring all staff have access to on-line and life-long learning courses which will help them  develop important  skills that increase knowledge and improve learning. This is a key to success, as it helps all employees, not just those with disabilities by enhancing their skills and knowledge, thus becoming even more valuable assets to the company. For employees with disabilities, these learning programmes improve opportunities and allow them to excel in their fields by extending  opportunities to a wider range of potential positions within the company.

Provide Employees with Disabilities with Clear Advancement Paths

Career planning is an essential part of employee satisfaction and retention. Companies can create personalized career paths for employees with disabilities by offering mentorship programs, skill-building workshops, and clear trajectories for advancement within the company. This is an area that Enable_All is keen to progress with HR as well as the Learning and Development team. These activities help employees feel valued and supported by  demonstrating company  investment in their long-term success. Xerox employees can utilise their personal profiles in GEMS to demonstrate their experiences, catalogue their learning and apply through the Global Recruitment Board for opportunities both locally and further afield.  GEMS is a great tool to help all our employees improve opportunities.

Attract Talent Through Internship Programs

Internship programs can serve as an effective way to attract talented employees with disabilities. By establishing internships specifically designed for individuals with disabilities, companies can provide valuable work experience and create a pipeline for full-time positions. Internships also allow companies to identify and nurture top talent, leading to a stronger and more diverse workforce. Xerox is a leader in providing internships across all our locations. If you or someone you know is interested in being part of our intern programme, reach out to your regional lead to progress the opportunity. Xerox would particularly welcome applications from individuals with disabilities.

Provide Leadership and Mentoring programmes

Xerox has a long history of supporting and mentoring our staff.  Whether it be via our Leadership programme or mentoring programme, Xerox has always encouraged personnel to find ways to excel in their current role while striving to improve themselves through our offerings and support structures.

Additionally, our mentorship and leadership programmes draw on the best people in Xerox to support our leadership candidates.  Mentees are provided with  support and guidance needed to improve, excel and progress both within the company and outside.

The Xerox leadership and mentoring programmes offer the very best initiatives to encourage all our staff, and especially those with individual needs, to both excel and improve. If you are interested in accessing these programmes, please search in MyXerox for opportunities relevant to you in your region and globally. Our current inflight programmes include ConneXions,  Vista to name a few.  If you are interested in learning about such programs,   information can be found on MyXerox.

Promote Effective Communication and Bias Awareness

Managerial self-awareness is crucial for creating a supportive work environment for all employees, including those with disabilities. By providing training for managers and supervisors, companies can help them become more self-aware of their interactions with staff, by promoting effective communication and addressing any potential biases. This helps create an atmosphere where all employees feel valued and included. Enable_All, with the support of the Xerox Senior Leadership Team and HR, is developing specific Unconscious (also known as Implicit) Bias training for disabilities which  is planned for  2024 as part of the mandatory training packages applicable to  all Xerox employees. Everyone can test their Unconscious Bias’s by taking a range of tests available at the Harvard Institute and Xerox employees can undertake our learning programme for Unconscious Bias via our Learning and Development offering.

Foster Inclusivity

An inclusive culture is essential for attracting and retaining employees with disabilities. Companies can promote a culture of inclusivity and diversity by celebrating differences, hosting awareness events, and encouraging open conversations about disability-related topics. This creates a welcoming atmosphere, helps break down stereotypes, and fosters understanding among employees.

Attracting talented employees with disabilities is not just a matter of compliance, it is a  a strategic advantage. By implementing these strategies, companies can create a more inclusive workplace that enriches  teams and positions employees for long-term success. The benefits of hiring employees with disabilities are numerous, including improved financial performance, greater innovation, and a stronger, more accepting company culture. In the end, it is not just about attracting talented employees with disabilities but also about creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.

DIB & Xerox

Xerox has put in place an award winning team of DIB professionals who  support our ERGs across our global HR and recruitment teams. These professionals ensure Xerox is at the forefront of delivering  best practices related to governance, recruitment and HR services for all  employees and employment candidates. DIB is at the forefront of Xerox, exhibiting a  culture of support and development that is a testament to our investment in our valued employees.

Xerox ERGs

Did you know that Xerox was the very first S&P500 company to implement an ERG, over 50 years ago? Since then, Xerox have put in place an additional  9 ERGs supporting our diverse resources across the Globe. Through these ERGs, Xerox is able to support their members and provide opportunities to improve and excel.

Through Enable_All, we hope to encourage a fully inclusive culture within and outside of Xerox. Where our members and allies work together to improve  workplaces for anyone who has a a disability, whether that be visible or hidden. We are all here to help and support improvement in everyone’s work experiences within and outside the Xerox community.

If you would like more information about Enable_All –  our mission, vision and aims, or if you would like to be a part of our growing community, please visit our website for  details.

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