Retail stores ignore possible disabled employees

A study conducted by Rutgers University in New Jersey concluded that in the retail trade sector of many American corporations exists discrimination and shortsightedness when hiring practices of people with disabilities take place.

The document is titled “An Overview of U.S. Corporate Practices in the Employment of People with Disabilities: Spotlight on the Retail Trade Sector." It indicates the rates of hired people with disabilities in relationship with hired regular employees remain “unaceptably low.”

Despite campaigns launched by corporations to attract customers with disabilities, improve productivity and reduce turnover and absenteeism, and to build better public perceptions, many retailers have failed to develop programs to lure possible employees with disabilities, the study finds.

“While the majority of top U.S. retailers have diversity programs and efforts in place, their visible activities devoted to including people with disabilities varies, or are invisible to the public,” the study concludes. “There is considerable room for improvement in promoting and realizing employment for people with disabilities in the retail industry.”

Amongst the inclusive companies are Best Buy, CVS/Caremark, The Home Depot, Walgreens and WalMart. Kroger, the parent company of Ralphs and Food 4 Less is a non-committal corporation, while Costco, Lowes, Safeway, Sears Holding and Target were categorized as "absent" of specific programs targeting employment of people with disabilities.

The study indicates corporations that lack these programs should learn from progressive companies that have developed them. They should make people with disabilities visible, open their markets to the disability community, promote their success, and draw programs for the disabled focused on the retail industry.

The document was written in coordination with the John J. Hendrich Center of Workforce Development.