The future of work in shaping the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities: a qualitative study

Arif Jetha; Ali Shamaee; Emile Tompa; Peter Smith; Ute Bültmann; Silvia Bonaccio; Lori B. Tucker; Cameron Norman; Cristina G. Banks; Monique A.M. Gignac

doi:10.1108/EDI-06-2022-0154

The future of work in shaping the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities: a qualitative study

Arif Jetha, Ali Shamaee, Emile Tompa, Peter Smith, Ute Bültmann, Silvia Bonaccio, Lori B. Tucker, Cameron Norman, Cristina G. Banks, Monique A.M. Gignac

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review

15 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Purpose: The world of work is changing and creating challenges and opportunities for the employment inclusion of young people with disabilities. In this article, the perceptions held by young adults with disabilities regarding participation in the future of work are examined. Design/methodology/approach: One-on-one interviews were conducted with Canadian young adults (ages 18–36 years) living with a disability. Participants were asked about their thoughts regarding the impact of the changing nature of work on their labor market involvement and career aspirations. A thematic analysis was performed to identify and examine emergent salient themes. Findings: In total, 22 young adults were interviewed; over half held secure employment. Career aspirations and work-related decisions were primarily shaped by a participant's health needs. The future of work was seen as a more proximal determinant to employment. Digital technologies were expected to impact working conditions and create barriers and facilitators to employment. Participants who indicated being securely employed held positive expectations regarding the impact of digital technology on their work. Participants working precariously held negative appraisals regarding the impact of digital technologies on employment opportunities. The role of technological and soft skills was critical to participating in a labor market reliant on advanced technology. Participants reported barriers to developing job skills related to their disability and their work arrangements. Originality/value: This research highlights the importance of considering changes in the future of work, especially the digital transformation of the economy, in the design of initiatives which promote the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities. Despite the significance of the changing nature of work, supporting health needs and encouraging access to secure work arrangements also remain paramount.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	75-91
Number of pages	17
Journal	Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Volume	42
Issue number	9
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-06-2022-0154
Publication status	Published - 2023
Externally published	Yes

Keywords

Automation
Changing nature of work
Digital transformation
Disability
Future of work
Precarious work
Young adults

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10.1108/EDI-06-2022-0154Licence: CC BY

Cite this

@article{047fedea23744fa081cb0867681b23e6,

title = "The future of work in shaping the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities: a qualitative study",

abstract = "Purpose: The world of work is changing and creating challenges and opportunities for the employment inclusion of young people with disabilities. In this article, the perceptions held by young adults with disabilities regarding participation in the future of work are examined. Design/methodology/approach: One-on-one interviews were conducted with Canadian young adults (ages 18–36 years) living with a disability. Participants were asked about their thoughts regarding the impact of the changing nature of work on their labor market involvement and career aspirations. A thematic analysis was performed to identify and examine emergent salient themes. Findings: In total, 22 young adults were interviewed; over half held secure employment. Career aspirations and work-related decisions were primarily shaped by a participant's health needs. The future of work was seen as a more proximal determinant to employment. Digital technologies were expected to impact working conditions and create barriers and facilitators to employment. Participants who indicated being securely employed held positive expectations regarding the impact of digital technology on their work. Participants working precariously held negative appraisals regarding the impact of digital technologies on employment opportunities. The role of technological and soft skills was critical to participating in a labor market reliant on advanced technology. Participants reported barriers to developing job skills related to their disability and their work arrangements. Originality/value: This research highlights the importance of considering changes in the future of work, especially the digital transformation of the economy, in the design of initiatives which promote the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities. Despite the significance of the changing nature of work, supporting health needs and encouraging access to secure work arrangements also remain paramount.",

keywords = "Automation, Changing nature of work, Digital transformation, Disability, Future of work, Precarious work, Young adults",

author = "Arif Jetha and Ali Shamaee and Emile Tompa and Peter Smith and Ute B{\"u}ltmann and Silvia Bonaccio and Tucker, \{Lori B.\} and Cameron Norman and Banks, \{Cristina G.\} and Gignac, \{Monique A.M.\}",

note = "Funding Information: The study was supported by a New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration Grant from Canada{\textquoteright}s Tri-Agency Programs Secretariat (NFRFE-2018-00873). Dr. Jetha's salary is partially supported by a Stars Early Career Award from the Arthritis Society (Canada). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023, Arif Jetha, Ali Shamaee, Emile Tompa, Peter Smith, Ute B{\"u}ltmann, Silvia Bonaccio, Lori B. Tucker, Cameron Norman, Cristina G. Banks and Monique A.M. Gignac.",

year = "2023",

doi = "10.1108/EDI-06-2022-0154",

language = "English",

volume = "42",

pages = "75--91",

journal = "Equality, Diversity and Inclusion",

issn = "2040-7149",

publisher = "Emerald Group Publishing Limited",

number = "9",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - The future of work in shaping the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities

T2 - a qualitative study

AU - Jetha, Arif

AU - Shamaee, Ali

AU - Tompa, Emile

AU - Smith, Peter

AU - Bültmann, Ute

AU - Bonaccio, Silvia

AU - Tucker, Lori B.

AU - Norman, Cameron

AU - Banks, Cristina G.

AU - Gignac, Monique A.M.

N1 - Funding Information: The study was supported by a New Frontiers in Research Fund - Exploration Grant from Canada’s Tri-Agency Programs Secretariat (NFRFE-2018-00873). Dr. Jetha's salary is partially supported by a Stars Early Career Award from the Arthritis Society (Canada). Publisher Copyright: © 2023, Arif Jetha, Ali Shamaee, Emile Tompa, Peter Smith, Ute Bültmann, Silvia Bonaccio, Lori B. Tucker, Cameron Norman, Cristina G. Banks and Monique A.M. Gignac.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Purpose: The world of work is changing and creating challenges and opportunities for the employment inclusion of young people with disabilities. In this article, the perceptions held by young adults with disabilities regarding participation in the future of work are examined. Design/methodology/approach: One-on-one interviews were conducted with Canadian young adults (ages 18–36 years) living with a disability. Participants were asked about their thoughts regarding the impact of the changing nature of work on their labor market involvement and career aspirations. A thematic analysis was performed to identify and examine emergent salient themes. Findings: In total, 22 young adults were interviewed; over half held secure employment. Career aspirations and work-related decisions were primarily shaped by a participant's health needs. The future of work was seen as a more proximal determinant to employment. Digital technologies were expected to impact working conditions and create barriers and facilitators to employment. Participants who indicated being securely employed held positive expectations regarding the impact of digital technology on their work. Participants working precariously held negative appraisals regarding the impact of digital technologies on employment opportunities. The role of technological and soft skills was critical to participating in a labor market reliant on advanced technology. Participants reported barriers to developing job skills related to their disability and their work arrangements. Originality/value: This research highlights the importance of considering changes in the future of work, especially the digital transformation of the economy, in the design of initiatives which promote the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities. Despite the significance of the changing nature of work, supporting health needs and encouraging access to secure work arrangements also remain paramount.

AB - Purpose: The world of work is changing and creating challenges and opportunities for the employment inclusion of young people with disabilities. In this article, the perceptions held by young adults with disabilities regarding participation in the future of work are examined. Design/methodology/approach: One-on-one interviews were conducted with Canadian young adults (ages 18–36 years) living with a disability. Participants were asked about their thoughts regarding the impact of the changing nature of work on their labor market involvement and career aspirations. A thematic analysis was performed to identify and examine emergent salient themes. Findings: In total, 22 young adults were interviewed; over half held secure employment. Career aspirations and work-related decisions were primarily shaped by a participant's health needs. The future of work was seen as a more proximal determinant to employment. Digital technologies were expected to impact working conditions and create barriers and facilitators to employment. Participants who indicated being securely employed held positive expectations regarding the impact of digital technology on their work. Participants working precariously held negative appraisals regarding the impact of digital technologies on employment opportunities. The role of technological and soft skills was critical to participating in a labor market reliant on advanced technology. Participants reported barriers to developing job skills related to their disability and their work arrangements. Originality/value: This research highlights the importance of considering changes in the future of work, especially the digital transformation of the economy, in the design of initiatives which promote the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities. Despite the significance of the changing nature of work, supporting health needs and encouraging access to secure work arrangements also remain paramount.

KW - Automation

KW - Changing nature of work

KW - Digital transformation

KW - Disability

KW - Future of work

KW - Precarious work

KW - Young adults

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85158821003

U2 - 10.1108/EDI-06-2022-0154

DO - 10.1108/EDI-06-2022-0154

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85158821003

SN - 2040-7149

VL - 42

SP - 75

EP - 91

JO - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

JF - Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

IS - 9

ER -

The future of work in shaping the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities: a qualitative study

Abstract

Keywords

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