Expanding your workforce through inclusive employment

Written by Martin Alcott

Across Australia, 21.7 percent of businesses have reported having at least one job vacancy¹ and in 2023, 36% of occupations were found to be in national shortage, a five percent increase on 2022².

Despite this, the employment rate for people with a disability compared to people without disability has not changed in over 28 years³. There are 4.4 million people in Australia who identify as having a disability⁴, of which 2.1 million are of working age⁵, with nearly half a million actively seeking work⁶.

So - how do small and medium business leaders across Australia access this untapped pool of talent?

Designed, delivered and led by people with disability, the Field is an inclusive job site that provides equitable access to job seekers, while simplifying the recruitment process for employers.

The platform aims to improve employment opportunities for everyone by removing the accessibility barriers by upskilling employers and equipping businesses with the tools to improve their inclusive policies on-site and through recruitment.

According to co-founder of the Field, Martin Alcott, “There’s no better time to make accessibility and inclusion mainstream in employment.”

“Initiating an open conversation with candidates with disabilities can kickstart a business’ journey towards inclusive recruitment. More companies are already more equipped to hire inclusively than they realise and the Field can further bolster practices already in place.”

Emma Clegg and Molly Rogers, founders of small business, JAM the Label and new users of the Field, understand first hand the benefits of inclusive hiring practices as qualified occupational therapists. Emma said, “People with disability often bring unique perspectives and problem-solving approaches, contributing to a more diverse and innovative work environment. Accessible recruitment also fosters an inclusive environment for all employees.”

Proof of these benefits have been reported on through various studies which show that disability-inclusive organisations:

- are 9x more likely to innovate; 10x more likely to be 'highly effective' and 5x more likely to give excellent customer service⁷; and

- enjoy a 34% increase in customer loyalty, a 61% increase in workplace morale, and a 49% increase in the ability to fill skills gaps⁸.

Through the Field, businesses of all sizes and resources can access a range of practical support including an inclusive language tool that assists employers to post disability inclusive job ads, and digital training resources to build capability of inclusive practices and policies.

Employers can also promote and highlight their inclusive strategies and the accessible features within their workplaces, so that candidates have more information and choice when applying for a job that suits their skills, experiences and accessibility requirements.

To find out more, visit thefield.jobs

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