A One in Five Chance: Thuringia's Struggle with Disability Employment Quotas
Approximately 20% of eligible businesses, regardless of disability status, lack relevance - Approximately 20% of holdings lack the presence of individuals with significant disabilities
In the heart of Germany, Thuringia is grappling with a startling revelation: over one in five businesses are shirking their legal responsibility to employ people with disabilities. A whopping 20.8% of businesses subject to the employment quota in 2023 haven't hired a single disabled employee – a figure barely budged from ten years ago (21.1%).
These defaulters face penalties, forking out a compensation levy to integration offices. The amount depends on the business's size and the employment quota, and serves to cover additional costs arising from hiring people with disabilities. Every private and public employer with at least 20 jobs must fill at least 5% of them with people with disabilities.
A Stepped-up Enforcement
From January 1, 2024, businesses that wilfully ignore their obligations will face harsher fines, the new graded amounts kicking in this year. Compensation costs can climb as high as 720 euros a month, based on the company's size.
Just over 25,000 people with disabilities were on the payroll in Thuringia in 2023, with 79% of them aged 45 or older. Majority worked in manufacturing, public administration, or the social and health sector.
The Slim Progress
Of all businesses in Thuringia subject to the employment quota, 44.9% were complying in 2023, down from 46.4% a decade ago. Although another 34.3% partially complied (compared to 32.4% ten years ago), these employers are still falling short of their legal obligation.
Promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities in the workforce is gaining importance due to demographic shifts, according to Markus Behrens, chairman of the regional directorate. To combat prejudice and enhance integration, companies require support. Short of a contact person in every local employment agency, rehabilitation specialists are available, along with a variety of funding instruments for qualification, salary supplements, and technical equipment.
The Broader Picture
Germany boasts a robust legal framework for the employment of people with disabilities, with companies required to fill at least 5% of positions with severely disabled individuals nationwide. Yet specific data on Thuringia's effectiveness is scant, due to economic and societal factors impacting business compliance. Nevertheless, the national framework remains the cornerstone for promoting disability employment, with non-compliant businesses facing penalties designed to encourage participation in the quota system.
- To bridge the persistent disability employment gap in Thuringia, it's essential to scrutinize the community policy and implement strategies that empower businesses through vocational training programs, particularly in science, health-and-wellness, finance, and business sectors.
- As part of the comprehensive efforts to foster disability employment, Thuringia can benefit from integrating vocational training in these sectors within the health-and-wellness, finance, science, and business arenas, ensuring a skilled and integrated workforce for the future.
