New Data from Inclusively and The Creative Ladder Reveal Challenges Around Workplace Accommodations in Creative Industries

The joint data found almost 60% of employees have a disability-related issue and more than half do not know how to disclose to their employer

Inclusively, the leading SaaS platform that provides companies with a universal approach to supporting employees accommodations, benefits and support needs, in partnership with The Creative Ladder®, a nonprofit dedicated to making creative careers more accessible and inclusive, announced the launch of a joint research study to uncover how employers can better navigate accessibility and inclusion in the creative industry.

The Empowering Rising Leaders report investigates the employee experience from the perspective of The Creative Ladder’s Rising Leaders members to learn about the unique experiences and issues those within the first ten years of their careers face. The data helps to guide programming, support and further inquiry.

Unfortunately, most employees today don’t know how to find the support and resources they need to thrive in their jobs. Regardless of industry or company size, it’s the responsibility of employers to ask every employee what they need to be successful, especially those from underrepresented communities and individuals with disabilities.

Some of the most critical findings from the Empowering Rising Leaders report include:

• People with disabilities are all around the workplace, and you might not know it – Nearly 60% of respondents identify with having a disability.
• Many who identify with having a disability refrain from disclosing – Of the respondents who reported mental health conditions, only 15% requested accommodations at work.
• The accommodations process is difficult and disjointed – Nearly half of the respondents who requested accommodations said the process was difficult and not standardized. And more than half of those who haven’t requested say they don’t know how to start the process.
• Employees don’t feel supported by their employers – Of respondents receiving accommodations, almost one-third said their input was not valued as part of the accommodation process. Of this same group, 30% said their employer never contacted them during the accommodation process.

“It’s clear that employers need tools to improve the accommodations process at scale, and right now we’re looking at the creative industry – folks in advertising, marketing, film and more,” said Charlotte Dales, CEO and Co-founder of Inclusively. “Partnerships like ours with The Creative Ladder are how we really drive awareness at the corporate and Board level to drive change and hopefully get to a place where 100% of employees can navigate, access, find and benefit from accommodations in their workplace experience.”

"I am both moved and motivated by the significance of these findings. It’s clear that people with disabilities are prevalent in our workplaces, yet their needs and voices often go unnoticed,” said Dionna Dorsey, CEO and Co-founder of The Creative Ladder. "The difficulties and lack of standardization in the accommodations process, along with the lack of employer support, highlight an urgent need for change."

“We are committed to partnering with like minded partners like Inclusively and dedicated to fostering inclusive environments where every individual feels seen, heard, and supported,” continued Dorsey. “These insights underscore the importance of proactive and compassionate efforts to ensure that all employees can thrive and contribute their best work."

For leaders in creative industries looking to learn more and better understand accessibility, accommodations and inclusion in the workplace, download the full Empowering Rising Leaders report here, and register for our webinar here, which will feature Dr. Marcus Collins along with The Creative Ladder CEO Dionna Dorsey and Inclusively Co-founder & COO Sarah Bernard. The webinar will delve into the report finding and collectively explore solutions organizations can adapt to better serve their employees.

Report Methodology

Inclusively utilized its Employee Experience Assessment Survey (EEAS) to capture insights around Rising Leaders’ experience with workplace accommodations. The EEAS, a proprietary data collection tool, captures sentiments of the workplace experience from both employees and managers, while ensuring privacy and compliance with company policies. To execute the research initiative effectively, The Creative Ladder enlisted the assistance of its extensive database of Rising Leaders, who are within the first decade of their career and self-identify as part of an underrepresented group. These Rising Leaders were invited to participate anonymously in Inclusively’s EEAS. The use of The Creative Ladder’s database provided a diverse representation of perspectives encompassing individuals from varied demographic backgrounds and organizational roles generally working in the advertising and marketing industries. A total of 83 respondents engaged with the survey, providing anonymized responses for analysis.

About The Creative Ladder

Co-founded by actor/business owner Ryan Reynolds, entrepreneur Dionna Dorsey and veteran Adweek journalist David Griner, The Creative Ladder is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to making creative careers more accessible and inclusive. Through in-person and virtual programs, The Creative Ladder seeks to connect, elevate and inspire the next generation of creative leaders from underrepresented backgrounds.

About Inclusively

Inclusively’s technology platform empowers companies to improve productivity and retention while fostering inclusive workplaces. Our AI solution helps employers adopt a universal approach to accommodations that easily integrates into existing operations. We also support companies who are learning to adapt to the increasing demands around workplace flexibility and the personalization of existing employees through our technology platform and our professional services. A few of Inclusively’s valued clients include Delta Air Lines, Lyft, Accenture, Applied Systems, Discord, UL Solutions, RAPP, WellLife Network, and more.

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