Who this plan is for
This plan is for all of us
All of us have a right to equal opportunities to get a job, stay in work and reach our career aspirations. And any of us have our employment affected by issues related to disability access needs or disability support options, or our health status, during our lifetime.
This plan sets out actions to improve employment outcomes and wellbeing for people who experience disadvantage in labour markets due to disability or health issues (including physical, sensory, learning, neurological, and mental health related issues), that may be visible, hidden, permanent, temporary, acquired or experienced from birth.
This plan also relates to people who experience multiple disadvantage in labour markets. To address this, the plan will align with employment action plans for Māori, Pacific People, refugees, recent migrants and ethnic communities, older people and young people.
This plan is for New Zealand businesses
Businesses benefit from employing and retaining people with diverse life experiences. And employers benefit from creating inclusive workplaces that help to attract and retain disabled people and people with health conditions.
Demand is changing for workforce and workplaces. On one hand we need to increase workforce participation to support a larger older population. On the other hand, there are increasing numbers of older workers and with this an increasing number of workers and jobseekers living with health conditions or disability. We are also rapidly adjusting our ways of working and business models to accommodate new health and safety conditions, new technological opportunities and new economic demands in a post COVID-19 world.
It is ever more important for businesses to be equipped to offer flexible working arrangements and support the upskilling of workers as circumstances change. This will help businesses retain effective workforces and stay relevant with new technologies in a rapidly changing world of work.
There is an untapped talent pool amongst disabled people that can be harnessed to meet increasing workforce demands. There are some businesses and entrepreneurs who make good use of this potential and who have grown work opportunities for disabled people. We need more.
74% of disabled people not in paid work would like to work if a job was available.
Employers benefit from having a diverse workforce that includes disabled people and people with health conditions. Evidence shows diversity increases business performance and sustainability. A pro-diversity attitude can help businesses to:
- access untapped skills and talents
- gain new and valuable knowledge and experience
- get the best person for the job
- show customers and other staff that diversity is valued
- mirror the market
- improve workplace culture
- capitalise on improved accessibility and an inclusive workplace culture for all employees.
