Fact sheet 2: The benefits of hiring someone with a learning disability in your workplace
“What’s not to like about hiring exceptional candidates? We’ve quickly learned that there can be a fabulous overlap between candidates with learning disabilities and exceptional employees – and any employer that isn’t interested in that overlap is missing out in a big way.” – Raj Panasar, partner at law firm Cleary Gottlieb.
Economic benefits
There are currently record numbers of vacancies in the UK labour market, with nearly 1.25 million unfilled positions as of September 2022 (1). Data suggests that around one-third of businesses with 10 or more employees are experiencing a shortage of workers as of November 2021 (2). But hiring people with learning disabilities can be a solution to businesses’ recruitment challenges. There are approximately 870,000 working age adults with a
learning disability
A learning disability is to do with the way someone's brain works. It makes it harder for someone to learn, understand or do things.
in the UK (3). But Mencap’s Big Learning Disability
Survey
A survey is when someone asks you to answer some questions.
found only 26.7% of respondents with a learning disability are currently in work, the lowest
employment
Employment means having a job.
rate of any health condition or disability (4). Yet research commissioned by Mencap has found that as many as 86% of people with learning disabilities not currently in work would like a job (5).
People with learning disabilities often prove loyal employees. Research has found people with learning disabilities stay in their jobs longer than their non-disabled co-workers. The same study found people with a learning disability had no whole day absences, compared to 1-6 days missed by matched non-disabled co-workers, and they were late only 3 times, compared to 20 times for non-disabled comparators (6). This can represent significant financial value for employers who can save money on recruitment processes and experience increased productivity.
“We haven’t lost anybody we took on and they are very loyal and hardworking people.”(7) - Private sector employer that does employ people with a learning disability.
Reputational advantages
Your
customer
A customer is a person who buys something or uses a service.
base will appreciate the efforts you are making to be an equal opportunities employer. Many of your actual and potential customers are disabled people. Your
organisation
An organisation are a group of people who work together.
will be more
representative
A representative is also called a rep. A representative is someone who speaks up for everyone in their group or team.
of the
community
A community is the people and places in an area.
. In a large study, 92% of consumers interviewed said they felt more favourable towards companies that hired people with disabilities, with 87% specifically agreeing that they would prefer to give their business to companies that hire people with disabilities (8).
Employers who spoke with researchers commissioned by Mencap stated the belief that employing people with learning disabilities can help build trust with communities, enabling their projects to run more smoothly. An employer in the construction industry, for example, reflected that their employment of people with learning disabilities provided a means to give back to, and build trust with, a community in which they were undertaking a large construction project (9). For businesses bidding for public sector contracts and funding, the ability to offer social value – which could include extending work opportunities to underrepresented groups like people with learning disabilities - is often given substantial weighting in the evaluation of tenders and can be a deciding factor as to which organisations are awarded contracts and funding.
Benefits to staff teams
Your staff will overcome any misconceptions about learning disability by getting to know a colleague with a learning disability. This will also be useful when dealing with disabled clients or customers. Your staff are likely to respond well to a more diverse team, particularly if they are given the chance to ‘buddy’ or line manage the person. Most people with a learning disability face multiple barriers to finding employment. Overcoming challenges to find work is a huge achievement and this is often reflected in the positive attitudes they bring to the workplace as a result. Their enthusiasm can be infectious and improve staff morale. Team dynamics and overall performance have been known to improve as a result of employing someone with a learning disability (10). One employer reported to researchers that the introduction of a student with a learning disability to one of their underperforming teams had had a transformational effect that “changed the whole dynamic of the team”, while another reflected that people with learning disabilities create “positivity” in teams and help “other people with their outlook on life.” (11)