Workplaces all over the Western area were reminded of the importance of inclusivity for Inclusion at Work Week last week.

Inclusion at work benefits employee health and wellbeing, performance, innovation and creates a healthier workplace for both employers and employees.

According to recent data though, employees with a disability are experiencing discrimination at double the rate of other workers in a worrying trend, and nearly one in five of all Australian workers (19%) feeing undervalued, disrespected or unable to contribute and progress at work (a figure which has doubled since 2019), following research from Diversity Council Australia.

Nurses at Western NSW Local Health District - Image courtesy WNSWLHD

Employment services provider, atWork Australia, says these findings reflect the urgent need for more inclusive and supportive workplaces.

In their advocate role, atWork Australia is urging employers to create supportive, accessible and inclusive workplaces that empower all employees to thrive.

One Western Area employee told the App that it was dependent on your career or where you work if the worksite was inclusive.

“For instance in rural areas I think in a place where the workers are predominantly men, you will see a lot of banter, which some people may take the wrong way, but if you have an employer who is fully committed to their workers, this will be what it is – just fun, and in a way makes for a happy workplace, but if the employer is not on top of it people may feel disrespected, which is understandable.”

“Employers and education are the key,” he said.

Bogan Shire Council Workers hard at it - Image Bogan Shire Council

Will Marr of Nyngan has been a Disability Support Worker for many years, caring for and assisting people to assimilate into work positions throughout the community. “I don’t think as a general rule, employees, in rural areas would feel excluded,” said Mr Marr, “Although I do think that those with disabilities may feel that way at times, depending on the severity of their disability and what hoops they need to jump through to gain employment and keep it, in the first place.

“It is difficult as a disabled person to be able to do what an able bodied worker can do so you need employers who will embrace what they can contribute and make the employee feel useful and needed,” said Mr Marr.

Workplace environments who embrace diversity set themselves up for long term success with studies providing evidence that inclusive teams outperform their counterparts rippling across the workforce and broader community with positive outcomes.

In the most recent McKinsey Diversity Matters report, companies committed to diversity revealed a 39% increased likelihood of outperformance.

One young rural apprentice said it takes a while to find your straps at work but once you do its full steam ahead.

“When I first started work, I felt a bit left out as I was the youngest worker and I knew so little, but all the older fellas were great, and they took me under their wings and showed me what to do and so I worked even harder to make them proud of me.

“Now we have a new apprentice, and I am helping him, just like they helped me, and I can see the importance of working as a team, we have a great workplace, and I am pretty grateful for that as some of my mates don’t have it that good,” he said.

James Stanton with his apprentice team - Sonny Knight, Hewett Haycock and Rory Quarmby

Both employers and employees need to work together said a local Nyngan business owner.

“Having an inclusive workplace is the responsibility of both the employer and employees. No matter how good the employee is, if the workers are not also trying to work well together then it’s a no-win situation.

“People just want to come to work in a happy environment, do their job and go home, it’s that simple. Weeks like Inclusion at Work week provide everyone with the opportunity to look and see if they are doing their very best and that is a good thing,” she said.