As part of the European Disability Employment Week from 13-19 November, a range of events are organised at various Thales sites. A great occasion, then, to improve our understanding of disability in employment.
Numerous sites have chosen to organise workshops and conferences on the question of disability in employment. These events play a part in changing perceptions on disability within businesses and in wider society. Thales engagement in the matter is not new: the Group has had an active, pragmatic and ambitious policy in support of the employment of persons with disabilities since 1992. Today, over 1800 persons with disabilities work at Thales. This represents 6.33% of the Group’s overall employment rate: a figure well above the mandatory threshold in France.
80% of disabilities are invisible
Surprising? Not very, if we consider that this covers everything from chronic or disabling illness to sensory, psychological or cognitive disorders. Anyone can be confronted with an invisible disability, whether personally or through a relative. Often misunderstood and at times hard to detect, invisible disabilities can cause real suffering, isolation or incapacity. This is why Thales is committed to raising awareness on the issue among its employees throughout the year.
This week, conferences and workshops on invisible disabilities, mental disorders, learning difficulties and auditory and visual impairment take place on the majority of Thales sites in France. Major French employment organisations for disabled persons (ESAT and EA) are presenting their activities and products in Cannes, Sophia Antipolis, Blagnac and Toulouse. Sites including those in Brest, the Thales Bordeaux Campus, Vendôme, Fleury les Aubrais, Aubagne, Saint Héand and Brive will welcome persons with disabilities (students, persons in rehabilitation and job seekers) for visits to sites, job demonstrations, interview simulations and information sessions on best practices for job applications.
Outside of France, more events are planned on a number of European sites for the week of 4 December, following the International Day of Disabled Persons on 3 December.
