Across all sectors of the Dutch labour market there is a shortage of staff. Nevertheless there is also still a large group of people who want and can work, but who need some support to complete her tasks. Although many employers are committed to diversity and want to include this group within the organisation, in practice it turns out that this only succeeds with a small group of employers. From research by Cedris , industry association for social employment and labor integration, shows that 60 percent of employers would like to employ people with support needs, but due to various barriers this succeeds in only 12 percent.
What are the obstacles?
Although people who are distant from the labor market are eager to get to work, in practice there are some obstacles to securing a place at an organization. For example:
No financial progress
For some people there is a chance that they will not be financially better off when, for example, they move from receiving benefits to a regular job. It may be that, because of their salaried employment, they, for example, lose several allowances.
Too little internal knowledge
When you include people with support needs in your organization, they need guidance. However, that knowledge and experience is not always available within an organization. At many agencies you can apply for different budgets; that requires some research.
Prejudices
People with a need for support have to deal with many prejudices . For example, employers think that they are ill more often, need a lot of support, or could have a negative impact on the organization.
Seize opportunities
There are multiple solutions to create work for people with a distance to the labor market. Look at the possibilities of a man or woman with an employment disability. Think, for example, of breaking down tasks. People with a need for support will not fully meet the job profile, but they can be put to work within existing vacancies. There are also several from the government financial arrangements – such as the wage-cost subsidy to subsidies for adapting the workplace- that support employers in attracting people with support needs.
Tof Thissen, general director of the UWV employment service,
poses
dat it in the current labor market only creates opportunities for employers and people with untapped labor potential. “People with support needs also bring talents, qualities, collegiality and, above all, enjoyment at work. Everyone wants to participate fully in society.”
What can you do?
The will to create an inclusive organization is the first step, but now you must act on it. There are various social employment companies that help people with support needs into work and support them in their development. The candidates are placed directly or seconded to regular employers via an employment company. When this is not the right solution, he or she can perform work within the social employment company in a safe environment. Start the conversation and see if you can collaborate with a social employment company.
Circle8
Circle8 offers people who are distant from the labor market the opportunity to further develop themselves. Together with ITvitae and Carapax IT, Circle8 offers people with autism the opportunity to further develop their IT talents and put them to use for clients.
