EMBARGOED UNTIL 7 AUGUST 2024
People with disability are facing alarming levels of exclusion at work, causing many to avoid sharing their disability status with their employer, according to a report released today by Diversity Council Australia (DCA) in collaboration with Australian Disability Network.
The Disability Data at Work report highlights the critical role of capturing disability data in cultivating inclusive workplaces where all employees can thrive.
The report sheds light on the workplace experiences of people with disability and outlines essential strategies for fostering workplace environments where employees feel safe to disclose their disability without fear of repercussions.
Key findings from the report
Drawing on previously unreleased insights from DCA’s 2023-2024 Inclusion@Work Index survey, the Disability Data at Work report found employees with disability are:
- twice as likely to experience discrimination and harassment – close to half (42%) of people with disability said they had experienced discrimination and/or harassment at work, nearly double the rate of people without disability (23%).
- facing disproportionate exclusion at work – 16% of people with disability said they work in non-inclusive teams, compared to 10% of employees without disability.
- significantly more likely to feel socially excluded – a third (35%) of people with disability reported being left out of social gatherings at work as well as being ignored or treated as though they don’t exist.
Challenges in disability data collection
On top of these troubling findings, 40% of people with disability said their organisations were not collecting disability status data. For those whose organisations that were collecting disability data, close to a third (30%) chose not to share their disability status with their employer. When asked why they chose not to share their disability status:
- a third (35%) said they did not share out of fear they would be seen less favourably by managers or overlooked for promotions or development opportunities
- over a third (39%) said they were concerned about privacy and how the information would be used
- close to a third (33%) said they didn’t trust sharing would result in a positive outcome.
Collecting disability data is crucial to workplace inclusion
Collecting disability data enables organisations to understand the mix of people in their workplace and the inclusion and exclusion experiences of employees with disability. This helps organisations make informed decisions about accessibility, monitor progress, and drive positive change. Using insights from DCA research and a review of Australian and international research, Disability Data at Work provides practical, evidence-based solutions to enable organisations to capture disability data safely and respectfully.
“The Disability Data at Work report underscores the urgent need for organisations to adopt inclusive practices that respect and empower all employees,” said DCA CEO Lisa Annese.
“Behind the troubling experiences faced by employees with disability are deeply rooted personal and systematic biases. Organisations bear a significant responsibility in dismantling these barriers to foster equitable employment opportunities, outcomes, and experiences for people with disability.
“The recent findings from the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability highlight the need for comprehensive data on employment experiences to address these complex and pervasive challenges.
“By enhancing our understanding of disability data collection and implementing leading practices outlined in the report, organisations can foster environments where every employee feels valued, respected, and fully supported.”
Australian Disability Network Chief Executive Corene Strauss said the collection of disability data allows organisations to track their progress in addressing the disability employment gap.
“The safe and respectful collection of disability data is essential to increase the workforce participation rate of people with disability. We can’t fix what we don’t understand.
“This in-depth report provides invaluable insights that will help employers create a more diverse, inclusive, and productive workplace.”
Find out more on the Disability Data at Work landing page.
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Media Contact
DCA: Ali Coulton
media@dca.org.au
Australian Disability Network: Clara Pirani
Clara.pirani@ausdn.org.au
About DCA
Diversity Council Australia is the independent not-for-profit peak body leading diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We provide unique research, inspiring events and programs, curated resources and expert advice across all diversity dimensions to a community of over 1,300 member organisations. Our member organisations are estimated to employ over two million Australians, representing almost 20% of the workforce.
About Australian Disability Network
Australian Disability Network is a national, membership-based organisation that helps organisations welcome and retain people with disability into all aspects of business. We work with our 460 member organisations - who in combination employ around 2.2 million people or 18 per cent of Australia’s workforce - to remove barriers that limit opportunities and prevent the employment and career advancement of people with disability.
