Canadians who experience disability twice as likely to report low quality employment
A 2020 study found that fewer Canadians who experience disability find work than those without a disability. Persons experiencing disability who are employed are more likely to be in lower quality jobs.
The study was led by Dr. Faraz Vahid Shahidi, Associate Scientist at the Institute for Work & Health. The data from the study is the most comprehensive available concerning the employment quality of persons who experience disability.
Some results from the study:
Compared with workers without disability, workers who experience disability were:
- 2.14 times more likely to be employed in jobs that are secure but unrewarding, and
- 2.5 times more likely to be in precarious jobs that are insecure and unrewarding.
These employment quality gaps were particularly pronounced for persons who experience both a physical and a mental disability who were:
- three times more likely to be in jobs that are secure but unrewarding, and
- more than four times more likely to be in precarious jobs that are insecure and unrewarding.
Key Takeaway from this Study
Participation in the workforce does not in and of itself guarantee inclusion and quality employment. A distinction must be made between employment status and employment quality.
You can read a summary of the study written by the Institute for Work & Health.