‘Lack of management skills’ harms retention of disabled workers

Nick Elvin

A lack of skilled and confident line managers is a major barrier to the retention of employees with disabilities, according to a new study.

Other key findings of the research, which was commissioned by Business Disability Forum (BDF), include a lack of targeted development opportunities and not enough awareness of disability in the workplace.

In its report, entitled “State of the Nation: Retaining and Developing Employees with Disabilities”, BDF discovered that only 20% of the employers surveyed set targets for the number of disabled people they would like to have working in their organisation. This number is even lower in the public sector, standing at just 7% of employers.

BDF says disability is still considered by many as a taboo subject in the workplace environment, with the spend on staff turnover in just five sectors costing UK businesses more than £4 billion annually.

George Selvanera, director of policy, services and communications for BDF, said the retention and development strategy can be “a barrier” for organisations, with some employers in need of support and advice in how they can greater accommodate the needs of workers with disabilities.

He said: “As inclusive and open-minded employers, we have a responsibility to ensure recruitment processes are accessible to all, and that everyone is made to feel equal and valued in the workplace.

“It is only once we break down these barriers and dispel the myths surrounding disability, that we will reap the countless business benefits of an inclusive and diverse workforce.”

Matthew Sanders, CEO of BDF partner de Poel Community, added: “Through this research, we are proving just how simple the process really is, for an organisation of any size, in any sector. It is about visibility, instilling confidence in your line managers, consistency in key policies, a flexible workplace adjustment process and providing targeted development opportunities.

“For any business – whether you are a small organisation or large blue chip, local or UK wide, operating in the private, public or third sector – you can make a huge difference in the retention and development of disabled employees.”