Disability is one of the many and varied elements of a robust ED&I (equity, diversity and inclusion)
strategy. And the narratives that are opening up around disability in the workplace are extending to
neurodiverse features, besides physical conditions that are more instantly recognisable.
It’s a positive step. But, there’s just one small catch.
As the CIPD’s Health & Wellbeing at Work 2021 report revealed, “Overall, just two-fifths (40%) of
respondents report that their organisation collects some form of workforce disability data or
narrative information and very few publish the information they collect externally.”
And herein lies the source of the problem. In short, levels of strategic proactivity around disability in
the workplace aren’t matching the volumes of lip service. Why? Because there’s a distinct lack of
insight to enable businesses to design successful strategies around wellbeing.
But, even acknowledging this fact creates a will to tackle it. And here’s how.
Finding the Narrative Between Data and Inclusion
The report underlines that too many businesses don’t collect data on disabilities. This means that
strategies to support people can never be fully inclusive until things change. But now, the report is
so powerful because it pinpoints exactly where change is needed.
For example, public sector organisations are required to abide by Public Sector Equality Duty. This is
reflected in the greater amount of disability data that’s collected in and published by the public
sector. But on the obverse side of the coin, the report highlights that there’s a lot of work to be done
elsewhere, particularly in the private sector –
Public Sector
64% recorded
27% published
Non-Profits
34% recorded
8% published
Private Sector
29% recorded
5% published
At Stress Matters, we have unique measurement tools for conducting data research around
disability, plus all other elements of workplace wellbeing. Imagine meaningful insights.
They’re the difference between –
– Not knowing how you’re doing
– Thinking you’re know or guessing at how you’re doing
– Having access to leading-edge analytics that steer you towards potential issues and areas
where improvements can be made
Get in touch for a chat. We can help if you’re interested in data research to update an existing EDI
strategy, or if you’re about to work on your first strategy.
