We all dream of the day when we don’t have to go to work, to have the freedom to get up in the morning and do what we want, when we want. However, in reality, it’s having secure employment that provides that freedom and luxury to live our lives on our own terms. Often for people who have never experienced challenges in securing employment, this luxury can sometimes be taken for granted and people may not realise how truly lucky they are to have secure employment. For many Australians, finding work whilst living with a disability is incredibly difficult and they face various challenges at each stage of the employment journey. So, once a person living with disability secures a job, it’s important to understand how to keep your job and remain in a meaningful position long-term. The first, and most important step is to make sure you find the right job for you. This can be a challenging task. However, help is available. See how atWork Australia can guide you, and let’s find you the right job, together.
For many people, employment provides the structure and purpose that we all require in our lives. For people living with disability job security is a major cause of concern and in some instances, it can exacerbate their primary health concern. When a person is experiencing unemployment and receiving regular knock-backs it can be hard to imagine how you could ever break that cycle and find sustainable long-term employment. The good news is, with the right support there are many ways a person living with disability can find long-term employment and this guide will provide tips and strategies to help people living with disability keep their jobs long-term.
How to keep your job for a long time: 6 Strategies for people living with disability
The work environment as well as the skills and requirements of employees continues to change, as businesses need to evolve with the times. As the needs of businesses change, employees must ensure they continue to evolve and change with it, ensuring they can continue to provide value and contribute to the overall success of an organisation. There are six strategies outlined below that can help people living with disability to have the best opportunity to stay in their job long-term.
Make up-skilling a top priority
The modern workplace is constantly evolving, with new technology and improved processes which are designed to maximise efficiencies and outputs. It is vital for people living with disabilities (and everyone for that matter) to critically analyse their own skills and abilities and seek opportunities to continuously upskill to meet the ever-changing needs of the modern workplace.
Take advantage of disability support services
Typically, people living with disabilities are disadvantaged when it comes to securing employment. So, people must take advantage of the support services that are available to them. Every year, through Disability Employment Services atWork Australia helps thousands of people to overcome their barriers to find meaningful and lasting employment. With tailored support, atWork Australia can help people living with disability to develop new skills, set achievable goals, identify suitable job opportunities and together develop a plan to secure meaningful employment. Every individual gets a unique service tailored to their needs to ensure they can find the right job for them and have the support to remain in that position long-term.
Job Access are an organisation who carry out free workplace assessments to provide advice and funding for people living with disability to access the right workplace adjustments or modifications that allows them to fully participate in their workplace. Read more about Job Access here.
Investing in assistive tools and technology
As mentioned above, there is support available through Job Access to help people living with disability to get the tools and technology to support them to perform their job. Modern day technology is allowing more people living with disability to access a broader range of employment opportunities. To be competitive in the job market, people living with disabilities need to enhance their skills by utilising the tools and technologies available to them.
Understand your legal rights
Disability discrimination accounts for the highest annual volume of complaints to the Australian Human Rights Commission , according to 2021 data. However, there are no legal obligations for a person living with disability to share information about their disability with their employers. On the flip side however, if an individual chooses not to share information it is then very difficult to get the support they require.
According to the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, if an employee shares information with their employer about their disability, the employer must make reasonable adjustments to accommodate a person’s disability, unless that adjustment would result in unjustifiable hardship.
Build strong relationships with your colleagues
Often in the workplace, support from your peers is just as important as the tools or technology that is utilised. It is important for people living with disability to develop strong relationships with their colleagues so that they feel comfortable to speak up, share how they’re feeling and have the ability to ask their colleagues for support. This support can often be simple things such as how information is shared or utilising their preferred method of communication. For example, a person who is hard of hearing might prefer an email instead of a phone call.
Educate
If a person living with disability feels comfortable to share information about their disability, it’s important for their manager and colleagues to learn about their condition and determine how they can best support the individual. This also indicates to the person that their employer is taking pro-active steps to help them be successful in the workplace.
atWork Australia believes that education is key to building more inclusive workplaces and creating more long-term employment opportunities for people living with disability. Through their Diversity Webinar Series they cover a range of topics geared to employers of all sizes, all with the same goal of creating more inclusive and accessible workplaces.
Take steps to job security
For a person living with disability, it can be an on-going challenge trying to find long-term employment. However, utilising the tips and strategies outlined above and connecting with the appropriate supports can help reduce stress and increase the chances for success. If you need support to progress on your employment journey, get in touch with atWork Australia today.
