10.01.2024

DOES COMPANIES MANAGE TO INVOLVE DISADVANTAGED PEOPLE IN THE WORK PROCESS

Desiring to improve the communication environment between an employer and a candidate, the search and job offering platform Worktalent.com  has asked its visitors in a poll on our workplace challenges:

Do companies manage to involve disadvantaged people in the work process?

- 59% of our polls, say there is no clearly established standard for the inclusion of people with disabilities in companies in Bulgaria

- 19% share that business should show more understanding on the subject

- 19% say they are observing an improvement in the overall inclusion, but they believe it is not enough to chase the good standards

- 4% of the respondents are optimistic and their definite opinion is that everything is necessary.

In order to comment on the topic and results of the poll, Worktalent.com turned to Kaloyan Damyanov, Director of the Regional Center for Inclusive Education-Sofia and Chief Assistant at Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" for expert opinion. He is also a national coordinator for Bulgaria of the European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education.

- Mr. Damyanov 59% of the participants in our poll, say that there is no clearly established standard for the inclusion of people with disabilities in companies in Bulgaria? Is that really what needs to be done?

- Currently in Bulgaria we still cannot talk about an established standard for integration of people with disabilities into the business sector, as we see in some other countries. There are individual initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and non -governmental organizations aimed at promoting job creation for this group. An example is the procedure "Sustainable employment for disadvantaged people" within the framework of the Operational Program for the Development of Human Resources. However, measures are mainly applied through pilot programs and projects, not as a constant practice in companies and society. It is important to note that there are also several franchise business initiatives that include people with disabilities in their staff, which is part of their corporate social responsibility.

- 19% say that business needs to show more understanding of the topic. What are your observations? What are the positive practices?

- Regarding the understanding of business for the integration of people with disabilities, my observations on the professional realization of young people with disabilities, which I observe after completing their education, show that one of the key factors for improving integration is the increase in awareness and training of employers.This includes understanding the diversity and unique abilities of people with disabilities, as well as their specific needs. Often, employers are surprised by the high motivation of such employees who are usually absent from work and often have skills that go beyond expectations but hidden behind atypical behavior. World practice shows that companies actively developing and applying policies to promote diversity and integration often achieve better business results. This not only involves people with disabilities, but accepting diversity as a valuable resource. Such policies cover clear strategies for hiring, training and support for all employees to create a job in a variety of work.

- Another 19% say they are observing an improvement in the overall inclusion, but they believe it is not enough to chase good standards. Do you think a large -scale educational campaign aimed at training each person to help the integration process?

- Stereotypes and prejudices often interfere with successful integration. The educational campaign can contribute to the destruction of these negative ideas. The campaign may include practical advice and guidance on how employees and organizations can improve working conditions and encourage people with disabilities.

The main goal would not only make it easier for professional integration, but also to encourage a more inclusive society as a whole, as negative attitudes are formed by school and family. Increased public support generated by such a campaign can accelerate the adoption of legislative and political measures to support the integration of people with disabilities.

- Only 4% of the respondents are optimistic and their definite opinion is that everything is necessary. However, this is an extremely low percentage. Do you think this percentage can jump significantly in the near future?

- The fact that only 4% of the respondents are optimistic about the efforts to integrate people with disabilities into society and the business environment in Bulgaria really emphasizes the low confidence in current measures. However, the possibility of this percentage increased significantly in the near future depends on several key factors:

- If current and upcoming initiatives for the integration of people with disabilities prove to be effective, this could lead to more visible and specific results. Improving public perception could increase optimism.

- Better legislation and its implementation could significantly contribute to improving the integration of people with disabilities. If people see that the laws are actively implementing and lead to a real change, their optimism is likely to increase.

- The positive presentation of people with disabilities in the media can play a significant role in the formation of public opinion and the increase in optimism.

In this context, examples such as assisted and adapted employment, as well as successful silicon valley practices, where young people with autism are hired in the IT sector, show that people with disabilities can be very valuable to employers, often possessing skills that exceed Expectations.

- We think of the story "everyone to save individually". In your opinion, does the whole economic situation in the country affect the prerequisites for solving these problems?

- Economic conditions can influence public sentiment and perspectives. In difficult times, people can become more focused on their own problems and have less resources and will to support social causes. On the other hand, the maturity of a civil society is evaluated precisely to the extent to which it can support and protect its weakest members. I think Bulgarians are still tolerant, but we need an incentive and showing successful examples and practices so that we can develop this experience at a personal level.

- Do you think the knowledge and skills of people with disabilities are underestimated? What is the meaning of their CV and is its presence or lack of a factor for their future development?

- The knowledge and skills of people with disabilities are often underestimated in society and in the workplace, which is largely due to stereotypes and prejudices. Widespread stereotypes associate damage to a lack of ability or low potential, which affects the way employers and society perceive people with disabilities.

The shortage of representation of people with disabilities in the media, education and public discussions further contributes to the lack of understanding and evaluating their opportunities.

Although many of them have high qualifications and skills, they often face barriers in access to education and training, which limits their professional potential. There are professions that are traditionally considered inappropriate for certain groups of people, similar to the attitudes that men would not be suitable for work as nurses or teachers in kindergartens, and women for firefighters and pilots. Similarly, people with disabilities are often overlooked to perform responsible and specialized work tasks.

- One of the comments in our poll commented on the topic of the legal over -protection of the workplace for people with disabilities. In reality, they can hardly be released by an employer. Is this the key to the reluctance of part of the business to secure such jobs?

- This is also a legend. In fact, it's all a matter of contracting. The fact is that not all people with disabilities are good employees, just like not all other people are like that. There may always be unsuccessful experience and then it is time to apply individual contracting, in which there should be protective clauses for both parties. I can say from personal experience that, as I have repeatedly appointed people with disabilities, so I have released and there is nothing disturbing about it.

- Mr. Damyanov, you have been involved in solving problems in the education of people with disabilities for many years. Tell us in a few words about good practices at school. How are children educated and what expectations their teachers create?

- In the last 15 years, working in the field of inclusive education, I have participated not only in the support of young people with disabilities, but also in general with vulnerable social groups of children and young people. We have gained a number of successful practices, from which I would point out several examples. A young man with cerebral palsy has completed higher education and is currently part of the team of the Regional Museum of History. Another young person with serious visual impairments has been successfully working in an office environment. I also know a hearing young man who deals with graphic design. Particularly impressive is the fact that young people with intellectual disabilities find opportunities to work in large food chains, where they take care of the arrangement of windows and loading goods.

I believe that the basis for these successes is also placed at school where the classroom should provide opportunities for the development of each student according to his or her individual abilities. Dual education is one of the models that can effectively connect the business sphere to young people with disabilities, giving them the opportunity to demonstrate their potential. Social entrepreneurship is also a positive phenomenon that has recently been gaining momentum in Bulgaria and deserves significant support from the state through purposeful policies.