A recent survey by KPMG in Canada reveals that 60% of employed Canadians with disabilities are actively seeking new job opportunities, citing underemployment and experiences of ableism in their current workplaces as key reasons.
Ableism, defined as attitudes and actions that devalue or exclude individuals with disabilities, was directly encountered by 44% of respondents. Additionally, 43% reported witnessing acts of ableism against colleagues within the past year.
The figures are even more concerning for individuals with visible disabilities, with 58% reporting direct experiences of ableism and 50% observing similar behaviors toward colleagues.
Conducted with 1,000 participants, the survey aimed to shed light on workplace disability issues and employment trends, promote disability inclusion in corporate Canada, and commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.
“Our survey results signifies that ableism remains a structural challenge within workplaces,” said Rob Davis, Chief Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Officer at KPMG in Canada. “The data reveals that many individuals with disabilities feel their talents are underutilized by employers, leading to a significant loss of skills, creativity, and productivity for Canadian businesses. This should serve as a wake-up call for organizations to closely evaluate their workplace culture, policies, and practices to foster a respectful and inclusive environment for individuals with both visible and non-visible disabilities. Failing to address these issues could result in losing valuable talent.”
Additional Key Insights from the Survey:
Employment Status:
87% of respondents are currently employed, yet 60% of them are actively searching for new jobs.
13% are unemployed but actively seeking employment.
Underemployment:
60% of respondents feel underemployed, meaning their roles do not fully utilize their skills or abilities. This sentiment is higher among individuals with visible disabilities (73%) compared to those with non-visible disabilities (53%).
Among unemployed respondents, 75% felt underemployed in their previous roles.
Bleism Experiences:
As much as 44% of respondents encountered ableism in their workplaces within the past year. This figure rises to 58% for individuals with visible disabilities and 39% for those with non-visible disabilities. People of color (60%) and Indigenous individuals (61%) with disabilities reported even higher instances of ableism.
Previous Workplace Challenges:
Half (50%) of unemployed respondents actively seeking jobs cited ableism in their previous workplaces.
Impact of Income Levels:
Higher-income earners ($150,000+) reported ableism at 53%, compared to 47% among those earning $50,000–$149,000 and 36% earning $30,000–$49,000.
Disclosure Challenges:
Only 32% of respondents strongly agree that their workplace provides a safe environment to disclose their disability.
