Ability at work- resources for managers and HR practitioners

Recruitment

The provision of workplaces that are free from discrimination, and which recognise and utilise the diversity of the Australian community they serve, is one of the key Values underpinning the Australian Public Service (APS) employment framework.

People with disability have difficulty accessing the open employment market, including positions in the APS.  Compared to other applicants with the same educational qualifications, people with disability commonly are disadvantaged by the lack of accessibility of job advertisements and recruitment processes; employer perceptions about their ability; and a lack of demonstrated experience in the workplace. 

It makes good business sense to employ people with disability.  In a labour market with increasing competition among employers for qualified workers, people with disability are a potential talent pool that the APS needs to access.  Further information on the recruitment of people with disability can be found here…

Resources

In 2006 the Management Advisory Committee (MAC) released its sixth report Employment of people with disability in the APS that explored the reasons for the decline in the numbers of people with disability in the APS.  The report highlights the need for strategies on three levels:  leveling the playing field for people with disability; improving access to APS work experience opportunities; and employment of people with intellectual disability.

Ability at work: tapping the talent of people with disability – A Good Practice Guide was developed as a toolkit to assist agencies in the efforts to improve the way that they attract and retain people with disability.  Part 2 Issues for people with disability in staff selection processes is structured around the usual steps in a selection process.

JobAccess is an initiative of the Australian Government to support the employment of people with disability and is managed by DEEWR.  JobAccess is an information and advice service funded by the Australian Government. It offers help and workplace solutions for people with disability and their employers.

Disability Employment Services provide employment services for people with a disability, injury or health condition by assisting them to prepare for, find and keep a job.

Special measures provisions are available under Clauses 4.2(6)(b)(ii) and 4.3(3)(b)(ii) of the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 1999 to assist people with intellectual disability to gain APS employment.  Circular No 2006/6: Use of special measures to fill employment opportunities for people with intellectual disability outlines the measures that can be used by agencies in recruitment exercises to increase the representation of people with disability in the APS.

In July 2010 the Public Service Commissioner’s Directions 1999 were changed to provide APS agencies with more flexibility in employing people with significant disability.  Policy Circular 2010/2: Engagement of people with disability through disability employment service providers outlines these arrangements.  Further information about the application of the new provisions can also be found in an accompanying Frequently Asked Questions document.

Publications

• Ability at work: tapping the talent of people with disability – a good practice guide
• Ability at work – a summary guide for senior managers
• MAC report: employment of people with disability in the APS
• MAC report: employment of people with disability in the APS – a framework

Development opportunities

Supporting Staff with mental health issues:  This programme provides participants with skills, advice, assistance and support required when working with people living with emotional and psychological illness.

Mental Health First Aid in the workplace e-learning course:  Developed to give employers and managers, employees and their co-workers a greater understanding of mental illness and how people with mental illness can be supported in the workplace and the wider community.  The course gives people knowledge and skills to support someone with a mental health issue

Getting that selection right:  Provides skills and insights into conducting an effective APS recruitment and selection process, including the issues of reasonable adjustment for applicants with disability.

APS Diversity network:  Network for HR practitioners from APS agencies with a broad diversity focus.  Inquiries about the network should be directed to FaHCSIA who coordinate the network.

Employer assistance schemes

There are a number of schemes which can assist employers by providing financial incentive, advice or guidance to encourage employment of people with disability.

Auslan for Employment (AFE):  Offers financial support to employers to assist with the cost of Auslan interpreting for Deaf employees, deafness awareness training for co-workers, or to assist with the costs of a co-worker undertaking a nationally accredited Auslan course.

Workplace Modifications Scheme:  Pays for costs involved in modifying the workplace or purchasing special/adaptive equipment for eligible employees with disability.  Can also pay for training in the use of the modification/equipment.

JobAccess: A website and telephone advisory service that provides information and advice on disability employment related matters.  Designed to assist employers, job seekers and employees with disability, co-workers of people with disability, and employment service providers.

Workplace Adjustment Tool:  Allows employers to search for ideas on how to make a workplace more accessible for people with disability.

Supported Wage Scheme (SWS):  Enables the legal payment of a productivity-based, or pro-rata wage.  The Australian Government contracts a panel of independent supported wage assessors to conduct productivity assessments for employers who wish to employ people with disability under the SWS provisions. There is no cost to employers for the assessment.

Wage Subsidy Scheme (WSS): An incentive to employers to help them with the initial employment costs of engaging a person with disability.

National Disability Recruitment Coordinator (NDRC): Aims to increase the employment of people with disability by promoting the benefits of hiring job seekers with disability and working with large employers to develop Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs), which commit employers to increasing their recruitment of people with disability.  Australian Government departments and agencies are required to pay for National Disability Recruitment Coordinator services.

Disabled Australian Apprentice Wage Support (DAAWS) and Assistance for Tutorial, Interpreter and Mentor Services:  Available to employers of an Australian Apprentice with disability who has been assessed as a person requiring assistance.

Work Experience Placement program:  Job seekers can take part in work experience of between five days and eight weeks to gain experience and develop skills.  Pays for the cost of work-related insurance (personal accident and public liability insurance) for eligible job seekers.

Disability Support Pension Employment Incentive Pilot: The Disability Support Pension Employment Incentive Pilot will commence on 1 March 2010, to coincide with the start of the new Disability Employment Services and will end on 29 February 2012.  The pilot wage subsidy is only available through Disability Employment Services. The Disability Employment Service provider will pay the employer a subsidy of up to $3000 after the participant has been employed for 26 weeks.