Employee with disabilities - competent and effective

The employment of people with disabilities is still a taboo subject in Poland. This is often related to ignorance and lack of awareness of how much benefit such a decision can bring to both employees and employers. That's why it's worth taking on a professional and competent person, even if he or she has a disability certificate.

A report by the Supreme Audit Office shows that in Poland, 80 percent of people with disabilities and limited mobility are not working and are not seeking employment, and their number is about 3 million. The employment rate of such people in some European countries is 50-60 percent. According to the government's "Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030," the employment rate of working-age people with disabilities will increase from about 26 percent in 2018 to 40 percent in 2030, and their labor force participation rate will increase from about 28 percent to 45 percent. The Government Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities also announced the development of a national employment program for this group. Activities in this area are also being carried out by the Polish Organization of Employers of Persons with Disabilities (POPON), which has launched a series of meetings "I employ because it's worth it, I work because it's worth it" as part of its support.

Support for innovative technologies

The key in the development of this category of workers is to increase their competencies, including digital ones, as well as to raise awareness among employers. However, more and more opportunities are emerging in the labor market for people with disabilities to take up and perform gainful employment. The pandemic has "disenchanted" remote work. Technological advances are not insignificant: faster and faster Internet, better computer equipment, specialized tools such as keyboards, glasses and sign language-to-sound interpreters. A barrier, unfortunately, are stereotypes and a very cautious approach by employers. Innovative technologies can help level the playing field, but without the openness of employers, the career potential of people with disabilities will not be realized. 

Able or unable to work?

The term "unfit for work" is often misunderstood by the employees themselves - they have doubts about whether it will be legal to work while holding such a certificate. In addition, they tend to have low self-esteem and lack confidence in their competence. Employers, on the other hand, are afraid of overinvesting time and money. A person with a disability certificate can work. However, the duration of his work is limited and, depending on the degree of disability, according to Article 15 (1) of the Law on Vocational and Social Rehabilitation and Employment of the Disabled, is:

- With a mild degree of disability - 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week,

- With moderate and severe disabilities - 7 hours a day, 35 hours a week.

Benefits for the employer

First of all, professional, competent and efficient employees. An employer who employs people with disabilities can also count on a number of exemptions and subsidies, such as reimbursement of the cost of adapting and equipping a workstation. An employer who operates a sheltered workplace is entitled to wage subsidies if he has no outstanding obligations to the State Fund for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities. The company, after meeting the conditions set forth in the law, can count on Social Security refunds and relief from PFRON payments. At the employer's request, PFRON can refund the cost of training employed people with disabilities.  

Applications for funding should be submitted to the PFRON Service and Reimbursement System.

‍