• Project number: F 2540
• Institution: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA), TU Dortmund
• Status: Completed Project

Description:

The project examined the work situation of people with disabilities and contributed to the further development of inclusive occupational safety and health. Given demographic change, increasing diversity, and digitalisation, the participation of all employees is crucial. Inclusive working conditions must be safe, healthy, and accessible to all.

One focus of the project was to determine and evaluate the data available on the employment situation of people with disabilities in Germany. Existing surveys were reviewed for their informative value, relevant indicators were determined, and knowledge gaps were identified. Building on this, a concept for an inclusive employment survey was developed in the follow-up project F 2558.

At the same time, the work situation of people with disabilities was examined in greater depth. First, the state of research on their working conditions was reviewed as part of a scoping review. Selected aspects were then examined in more detail. For example, interviews were conducted to examine the meaning of a supportive working environment. This revealed how employees with disabilities negotiate social support in the workplace according to their own needs. Furthermore, existing data from the 2018 BIBB/BAuA survey of employed persons and its follow-up survey were also evaluated.

The results of the project show that

• Inclusive work design requires a holistic approach at the organisational, team, and individual levels.
• Social support is an important resource, but it must be tailored to individual needs.
• To leverage the potential of digital technologies in an inclusive manner, a differentiated approach is needed to address the requirements of the work environment and the skills and needs of employees.
• There are differences in the requirements and stresses of employees with and without disabilities, which highlight the potential for inclusive work design.

To facilitate the productive and safe participation of employees with disabilities, companies should demonstrate openness and flexibility in addressing individual needs. Disability should not be understood as an individual deficiency, but rather as a condition caused primarily by environmental barriers. It is important to note that inclusion is an ongoing process that relies on communication and mutual learning. Inclusion can only succeed if company stakeholders, colleagues, and the disabled person work together. In times of change, this enables the company to tap into new economic and human potential.