When an employer is looking to hire someone to represent their brand, they want someone who will do so with pride and precision. They will want a person who understands the brand, what it does, what it aims to do for the consumer and help sell the product or service efficiently and effectively. The physical appearance of the employee only has so much of a role to play in all of this; unfortunately, most employers, choose to stop at this very factor.
There are so many myths about hiring workers with disabilities; employers feel that the physical disability of the employee could be an eyesore for the customers, that physical disabilities will create barriers at work and so on. But at the end of the day these are nothing more than myths.
Myths about hiring workers with disabilities (and the facts)
- Myth – Hiring persons with disabilities is not only expensive, but also logistically challenging
Fact – Not really – yes, there might be some additions or changes that might need to be brought about, but people with disabilities can be trained just as efficiently as anyone else. Building a ramp or adding railings, might be all that is needed for these employees, but at the end of the day, it will prove helpful for customers as well. And over time, the expenditures that might have been incurred in the beginning will begin to negate on their own, allowing space for profit building. With organisations like TRRAIN (Trust for Retailers and Retail Associates of India) offering practical training and real-world experiences, more and more people with disabilities have been able to join the workforce and becoming contributing members not only in their homes, but also the domestic economy
- Myth – Customers might be uncomfortable interacting with people with disabilities
Fact – Gone are the days when people had a problem with disabilities; over time, with education and a more broad-minded approach for most, customers are appreciative and supportive of inclusivity. A growing number of customers are now choosing to become more loyal to brands that are willing to keep an open mind towards inclusion and diversity. As a matter of fact, customers with disabilities themselves might favour such brands more that hire people with disabilities, because they will be able to sense the empathetic nature of the brand and those associated with it.
- Myth – Employees with disabilities will be more prone to absenteeism
Fact – Persons with disabilities have been made to feel invisible, especially when it comes to employment opportunities and when they are given an honest opportunity, the chances of them doing anything to jeopardise the same are minimal. Most of them will work extra hard to prove to their employers the benefits of hiring disabled workers. They will want to do everything in their power to prove that they are assets and not liabilities and can bring real value to the table.
- Myth – There are only a limited number of job roles for people with disabilities
Fact – The number of roles on offer to any employee is directly related with the training that is given to them and the case is the same for people with disabilities as well. When workers with disabilities are given proper training, they are just as meritorious as any other person, if not more, because people with disabilities tend to put in greater effort. At TRRAIN, we offer training to people with disabilities for a variety of job opportunities, including front-end services, back-end support, tele-services, logistics, warehouse support, and many more. The limitations, if any, lie only in the mindsets of those looking to employ!
- Myth – Disability Hiring is Only for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Fact – Yes, once upon time, diversity, inclusion, hiring of People with Disabilities were all about Corporate Social Responsibility, but today, employers and brands are coming to realise that by bringing all these factors to the table, you are offering encouragement to creativity, innovation, and overall business success. Because people with disabilities would have had a different take on life, and different experiences, they will be able to bring a different perspective and a plethora of ideas to the forefront, many of which might be pathbreaking and truly useful.
- Myth – People with Disabilities Lack Skills and Qualifications
Fact – This is one of the biggest myths around workers with disabilities that TRRAIN is trying to remove; it is not like people with disabilities are not educated enough or they are not talented enough, many times, it is just the lack of opportunities. We work extensively with persons with disabilities, who might not have had fair chances in life. By offering them training and connecting them with employers, we not only help build sustainable livelihood opportunities but also allow them to lead a life of dignity. So, the persons with disabilities, who come through TRRAIN not only have the qualifications to do the job but also the right skill sets, as well as an enthusiasm to keep learning!
By addressing and dispelling these common myths, employers in India can take significant strides towards building a more inclusive and diverse workforce. Embracing the idea of hiring disabled workers not only contributes to a positive corporate image but also enhances employee morale, fosters innovation, and ultimately drives success.
Join us at TRRAIN to show how disability inclusion is not a challenge, but rather an opportunity to create a more vibrant and dynamic workplace!
