Whether you’re just starting out on your entrepreneurial journey, or you’re an established company looking to grow, focusing on workplace accessibility is a great way to reach your business goals.
Not only will it open you to a whole new talent pool of skilled workers, but you’ll also comply with long-standing Canadian laws, boost your employee retention, and increase demand for your products and services.
Let’s examine some of the ways workplace accessibility is good for business.
Navigating a Tight Labour Market
The unemployment-to-job vacancy ratio in Canada is at a historical low, with a record tight labour market making it hard for companies to hire the talent they need. Statistically, this problem is at its worst in British Columbia, with sectors like construction, hospitality and retail struggling to attract candidates.
How Workplace Accessibility Helps
Eight million Canadians aged 15 and over (27 percent) have at least one disability. These individuals are often unemployed or underemployed. The data shows that 55 percent of persons with a disability aged 15 to 64 participate in the labour market compared to 78 percent of persons without disabilities.
Creating an accessible workplace will open your business to this deep talent pool and boost your hiring options.
Actionable Tip for Your Business
Attracting a diverse mix of candidates begins with how you phrase your job postings. Clearly state that you welcome applications from candidates with disabilities. Also, be upfront about your willingness to provide accommodations.
Widening your talent pool leads us nicely into our next area of focus.
Driving Innovation
Canadian businesses are becoming less competitive over time with a lack of innovation cited as the number one cause. A recent study by Statistics Canada found that a skill shortage was one of the top reasons for this gap. If only there were a pool of skilled staff available to help…
How Workplace Accessibility Helps
A more inclusive and diverse workplace, that includes employees with disabilities, is a more innovative workplace. Research by the European Union found that diverse work teams create a wider range of solutions to business issues. They’re also more innovative and creative.
Companies that value accessibility also create a positive working environment where all staff feel valued and cared for. This is critical for fostering innovation. It’s also critical for another important reason.
Inclusiveness Matters to Consumers
A new era of values-based shopping has arrived in Canada, with Millennials and Gen Z leading the charge. Shoppers are increasingly seeking brands whose values align with their own. In fact, a recent study from Canada Post found that 20 percent of Millennials and 18 percent of Gen Z consumers had stopped buying from brands that didn’t match their personal values in the last year alone.
It’s never been more important for small businesses to weave their personal values into their brand.
How Workplace Accessibility Helps
When you demonstrate your commitment to accessibility through your business practices, it shows customers, employees, and your wider community that your business is open to all.
Reaching back into a profile we wrote of Accessibility Consultant Donna Franz, a relevant quote of hers comes to mind:
“Accessibility enhancements prove greater than the sum of their parts. If a business is recognized as prioritizing accessibility, people will share that information with others, and social media. Negative reviews are a powerful influencer of people’s choices.”
Actionable Tip for Your Business
If you’re proud of your status as a values-based organization, then don’t be shy about sharing the work you’ve done with your community. Demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by adding a DEI statement to your website.
Ensuring Compliance with Canadian Laws
You know what’s also good for business? Staying on the right side of the law.
Employers in BC must comply with the accessibility requirements laid out in the Accessible Canada Act, the BC Human Rights Code, and the Accessible BC Act.
Fortunately, it’s not difficult or expensive to get started.
In our recent article, Debunking Common Myths About Accessibility in the Workplace, we discussed how many of the most common accessibility barriers in the workplace are low-cost or free to fix. All it takes is a willingness to make the effort.
What’s stopping you from taking that first step?
Continue your Accessibility Journey with SBBC
Small Business BC is a non-profit resource centre for BC-based small businesses. Our Workplace Accessibility Resources page is full of tips, tools, and more to support your next stage.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
