Workers with special needs help set new standards
Brazil has approximately 170 million inhabitants. About 24.5 million – one in every seven - are physically or psychologically disabled.
About five years ago, the government introduced a quota system which includes positive discrimination for vulnerable groups to ensure that they have access to the labor market. The quota system states that in companies with 100 to 200 employees, a minimum of 2% of the employees must be people with special needs.
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All have the right to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
See the 30 human rights at: http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/lang/eng.htm.
Challenges
The quota system enforces mandatory inclusion, but prejudice is still prevalent and many companies that do comply with the law hire disabled persons to perform tasks that are not very prestigious.
In 2004, Novozymes had 166 employees in Brazil; none of them disabled. To coincide with the launch of a global diversity management program, Novozymes in Brazil began an Expanding Diversity project to accommodate the new quota legislation. Novozymes had to challenge the existing organization, as well as adapt the physical working environment to employ and retain people with special needs.
The inclusion process was not free of problems. The approach had to be understood and accepted by existing employees as well as new employees with special needs, and both groups’ demonstrated prejudice that hindered the inclusion. A training program was held to introduce special working procedures for both managers and employees focusing on diversity and equal opportunities before, during and after the hiring.
Benefits
The project has helped to encourage the widespread view among employees that equal opportunities and dignity are very necessary to make the world a better place. The initiative has also nurtured acceptance of people with diverse needs.
Today, four out of the 167 employees have a physical disability, and there are plans to employ more. The employees also agree that diversity helps to strengthen Novozymes in Brazil, internally and externally.
Novozymes’ Regional President in Brazil Pedro Fernandes points out that the increased number of employees with special needs has been an advantage: “We consider it a privilege to have colleagues with special needs. We have learnt that they are extremely focused and complete their tasks accurately and diligently, just as well, if not better than the so-called ‘normal’ employees.”
