Research projects

Mobilising employers to employ people with work disability project

For: Employers and managers Information seekers

The project looked at improving the capacity of employers to provide work to people with physical or mental health conditions.

This is a Collaborative Partnership project.

Project update

The Employer Mobilisation Project Report was released in 2018.

Key findings:

Employers with experience in hiring and supporting people with health conditions or disability are more likely to repeat the experience.
50% of employers are not confident in their businesses ability to support people with a physical or psychological disability or health condition.
53% of employers believe their workplace culture is not supportive of people with a physical or psychological disability or health condition.

Project overview

This project involved two phases: quantitative and qualitative research and workplace trials with two national employers.

The first phase explored the behaviours, attitudes and intentions of employers on hiring people with a health condition or disability.

The second phase used these findings to design and test workplace interventions with two national employers to build their capability for hiring, retaining and supporting these workers.

Project participants

Project lead

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations

Other organisations involved

Department of Social Services
Australian Council of Trade Unions
EML
Whereto Consulting
Industry and employer representative
Comcare self-insured licensee representatives – Reserve Bank of Australia and Australia Post.