Workplace inclusion allows anyone to work on equal terms, regardless of their disability, and makes it possible for people with disabilities to develop their professional careers like anyone else.
Work dignifies people, allows them to feel fulfilled, productive, and contribute to the sustenance of their families, themselves, and society.
We all have physical or emotional shortcomings to some degree, but in the vast majority of cases, these do not limit our ability to work, to undertake projects, to be productive.
However, there are many people in Mexico and around the world who have some type of disability, which, although it makes it more difficult for them to work than for most, does not limit or exclude them from this possibility.
We are all born with the same rights; these do not limit our disabilities, however profound they may be. The problem is that as a society we have not been able to enforce these rights for everyone.
This must change; it is a social debt that binds us all.
And today, more than a year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, we have discovered work tools, such as videoconferences, business operation programs, and even Office-type software (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) that allow for remote collaboration, which opens a very big door to achieving labor inclusion.
Today it is even easier to give jobs to those who have been excluded because of their different abilities.
Within the framework of corporate social responsibility (CSR), it is essential to understand the environment of the areas where we operate, the deficiencies that prevail, and where we can have a positive social impact.
If we can commit as a company to workplace inclusion, we will understand that we have the ability to change, in an incredible way, the lives of many people whose disability has left them out of the labor market.
BENEFITS
Some of the benefits that companies that promote workplace inclusion achieve:
- Decrease in employee turnover.
- Positive work environment.
- Better access to new markets.
- Increased service quality, which generates customer satisfaction.
- Development of an innovative and creative spirit among employees.
- Reduction in absenteeism.
- Reinforcement of cultural values.
- Positive changes in people's mindsets.
- Tax incentives (for example, expenses to make architectural changes to build an accessible building, such as ramps and elevators, are 100% deductible).
It is easy to achieve this by working with organizations specializing in this area, which help companies and candidates prepare for proper integration into the company and develop the job inclusion program appropriately.
COMPANY SUPPORT
The work of many organizations is to develop support with companies; this support focuses on job analysis, awareness workshops, training for the human capital team, support for internal communication, analysis of company facilities and detection of improvements that allow for inclusion (ramps, door width, workstations, among others), advice for certifications and standards, detection of viable candidates in the area of operation, training of candidates, talks with work teams about fair and respectful treatment for all, follow-up over time, evaluations of the hired workers and of the program.
There is no excuse for not promoting labor inclusion in Mexico; all that is required is the will.