How Part-Time Work Helps Workers With Disabilities
Work is not simply a means of earning money. It offers a myriad of advantages, ranging from improved health and wellbeing to enhanced social, economic, and financial inclusion.
Furthermore, it can alleviate the burden on public income assistance programs. For individuals with disabilities, who tend to belong to lower socioeconomic classes and experience social isolation more frequently, work is arguably even more crucial.
The value of work
Research from Monash University highlights the crucial role work plays for disabled people, both in terms of their overall wellbeing and also the reduction in healthcare they require. The researchers believe, however, that if more people with disabilities are to find either part-time or full-time work, a change is required to the programs and services they receive.
In Australia, the employment rate of individuals with disabilities stands at a mere 54%, lagging behind the wider population's rate of 84%. This gap has only widened in the past decade, with employment among people with disabilities decreasing by 3%, while the rest of the population has witnessed a rise of 23%.
Despite the considerable allocation of resources by the federal and state governments towards employment assistance for individuals with disabilities, such as the notable A$800 million invested annually in Disability Employment Services, a disparity persists. Significant investments have also been made through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other programs.
It is worth noting that people with disabilities are twice as likely to work part-time as their non-disabled peers. However, government-sponsored programs aimed at facilitating employment opportunities for people with disabilities often prioritize full-time employment.
Back to work
The researchers examined data from clients who were working with Disability Employment Services. They revealed that they enjoy considerable benefits from working part-time, including greater confidence, improved wellbeing, and increased financial stability and social networks.
For certain individuals with disabilities, capacity limitations and juggling family and medical obligations can constrain them to part-time work. Transitioning back to work or commencing employment for the first time can be a challenging undertaking. Part-time work may serve as a helpful stepping stone to full-time employment.
It is essential to ensure that individuals are matched with suitable jobs that capitalize on their abilities, with the necessary support in place. Entering into jobs that are unaccommodating towards disabilities or not a good fit for the individual or environment can adversely impact their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Improving wellbeing
The researchers examined client data from various sources, including service provider WISE Employment and Personal Wellbeing Index questionnaires completed by Department of Employment Services participants each year, to explore the links between part-time work and wellbeing, mental health, and healthcare costs. The study discovered that individuals who are employed experience higher wellbeing scores compared to those who are unemployed, regardless of whether they work full or part-time. However, the research did reveal that individuals employed in casual jobs have marginally lower wellbeing.
To further substantiate their findings, the researchers analyzed data from the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey, which gathers information annually on a wide range of subjects, including demographic, social, economic, and health characteristics of individuals. This data demonstrated that engaging in employment is linked with substantial mental health gains when compared to being unemployed. Moreover, these benefits are more pronounced for individuals with disabilities than those without disabilities.
Interestingly, the study found that individuals with disabilities experience greater mental health benefits as they work more hours. Furthermore, women engaged in part-time work seem to benefit more significantly, although the impact is the same for men and women with disabilities in full-time work. Overall, the study underscores the significance of employment in promoting mental health and wellbeing, especially for those with disabilities.
Reducing healthcare costs
The researchers also examined a range of data from tax records, social security payments, the census, and Medicare. The findings indicate a progressive decline in expenses linked to general healthcare services, mental health services, and mental health prescriptions, as the volume of working hours increased.
Indeed, if those who were currently out of work were able to work between 14 and 29 hours each week, the researchers believe that it would save over $60 million per year in healthcare costs.
According to the study, there is merit in pursuing part-time employment as a means of enhancing the welfare of individuals with disabilities, and concurrently reducing healthcare expenses. Nevertheless, for us to boost the number of disabled individuals engaged in both part-time and full-time work, we must change current programs and services.
The strategies that are implemented to encourage individuals to take up part-time positions and the types of incentives extended to employers should be subject to careful consideration. Instead of the existing "blunt" methodologies employed by the Disability Employment Services and the NDIS, which classify individuals as "employed" or "unemployed", we need to identify ways to acknowledge the potential of part-time work in enhancing well-being.
