Employers may be concerned that job seekers with disability will have higher absenteeism including taking more sick leave.
Disability, by and large, should not be equated with sickness as most people with disability are not perpetually sick and do not need or take more time off than anyone else due to illness.
Recent research has revealed up to 39 per cent lower absenteeism and use of sick leave among staff with disability when compared with other employees (Graffam et al 2002).
The following link will take you to a page that contains a media clip of employer experiences. These experiences support the idea that people with disability can take less time off than other employees.
If you are assisting job seekers who may require additional time off work, such as job seekers with chronic illnesses, discussing flexible work arrangements with employers may assist in accommodating any increase in absenteeism. The following information is available to help you to promote flexibility:
References
Graffam J, Shinkfield A, Smith K and Polzin, U 2002, ‘Employer benefits and costs of employing a person with a disability’, Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, vol. 17, pp. 251-263.