Navigating Invisible Disability Disclosure and Workplace Inclusion: Employers’ Attitudes and Workplace Policies
This study explores employers’ attitudes and practices regarding disclosing and including individuals with invisible disabilities in Greek workplaces. Invisible disabilities present unique challenges regarding workplace inclusion and the disclosure of disability. Through a thematic analysis of struc...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Disabilities |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/5/2/37 |
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| author | Niki Markou Doxa Papakonstantinou |
| author_facet | Niki Markou Doxa Papakonstantinou |
| author_sort | Niki Markou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores employers’ attitudes and practices regarding disclosing and including individuals with invisible disabilities in Greek workplaces. Invisible disabilities present unique challenges regarding workplace inclusion and the disclosure of disability. Through a thematic analysis of structured interviews with 50 employers and human resource professionals from various industries, this research study identifies organizational policies, attitudes toward disability disclosure, the perceived impacts and benefits of hiring individuals with invisible disabilities, and recommendations for workplace inclusivity improvement. The findings reveal a range of employer practices. While many employers acknowledge the importance of fostering an inclusive workplace, there are gaps in formal training and structured policies. Employers have varied views on the necessity and timing of disability disclosure, with some supporting disclosure during hiring to ensure proper accommodations and others prioritizing employee comfort and autonomy. Important advantages of employing individuals with invisible disabilities include improved workplace diversity, increased innovation, and reinforced team unity. This study recommends diversity training, clear disclosure guidelines, and joint initiatives with external organizations to promote inclusivity in the workplace. These findings offer practical recommendations to close the inclusion gap and maximize the capabilities of employees with invisible disabilities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-de6a0686d025413a99e7b192faf09354 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-7272 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Disabilities |
| spelling | doaj-art-de6a0686d025413a99e7b192faf093542025-08-20T02:24:42ZengMDPI AGDisabilities2673-72722025-04-01523710.3390/disabilities5020037Navigating Invisible Disability Disclosure and Workplace Inclusion: Employers’ Attitudes and Workplace PoliciesNiki Markou0Doxa Papakonstantinou1Department of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Str., 54636 Thessaloniki, GreeceDepartment of Educational and Social Policy, University of Macedonia, 156 Egnatia Str., 54636 Thessaloniki, GreeceThis study explores employers’ attitudes and practices regarding disclosing and including individuals with invisible disabilities in Greek workplaces. Invisible disabilities present unique challenges regarding workplace inclusion and the disclosure of disability. Through a thematic analysis of structured interviews with 50 employers and human resource professionals from various industries, this research study identifies organizational policies, attitudes toward disability disclosure, the perceived impacts and benefits of hiring individuals with invisible disabilities, and recommendations for workplace inclusivity improvement. The findings reveal a range of employer practices. While many employers acknowledge the importance of fostering an inclusive workplace, there are gaps in formal training and structured policies. Employers have varied views on the necessity and timing of disability disclosure, with some supporting disclosure during hiring to ensure proper accommodations and others prioritizing employee comfort and autonomy. Important advantages of employing individuals with invisible disabilities include improved workplace diversity, increased innovation, and reinforced team unity. This study recommends diversity training, clear disclosure guidelines, and joint initiatives with external organizations to promote inclusivity in the workplace. These findings offer practical recommendations to close the inclusion gap and maximize the capabilities of employees with invisible disabilities.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/5/2/37workplace inclusioninvisible disabilitiesemployers’ attitudesinclusivity policiesdisability disclosure |
| spellingShingle | Niki Markou Doxa Papakonstantinou Navigating Invisible Disability Disclosure and Workplace Inclusion: Employers’ Attitudes and Workplace Policies Disabilities workplace inclusion invisible disabilities employers’ attitudes inclusivity policies disability disclosure |
| title | Navigating Invisible Disability Disclosure and Workplace Inclusion: Employers’ Attitudes and Workplace Policies |
| title_full | Navigating Invisible Disability Disclosure and Workplace Inclusion: Employers’ Attitudes and Workplace Policies |
| title_fullStr | Navigating Invisible Disability Disclosure and Workplace Inclusion: Employers’ Attitudes and Workplace Policies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Navigating Invisible Disability Disclosure and Workplace Inclusion: Employers’ Attitudes and Workplace Policies |
| title_short | Navigating Invisible Disability Disclosure and Workplace Inclusion: Employers’ Attitudes and Workplace Policies |
| title_sort | navigating invisible disability disclosure and workplace inclusion employers attitudes and workplace policies |
| topic | workplace inclusion invisible disabilities employers’ attitudes inclusivity policies disability disclosure |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7272/5/2/37 |
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