Challenges and opportunities for the employment of workers with disabilities: A systematic approach

Introduction: The analysis of inclusive human resources (HR) practices is a fundamental topic of the future of work. The aim of this review is to systematically analyze the employment cycle of people with disabilities (PWDs) focusing on the recruitment and selection phase and the subsequent career management process. Methods: We followed a systematic approach and applied the PRISMA methodology. A literature search was performed on the Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Psycinfo databases and 28 articles were included in the literature synthesis. Results: Results highlight that PWDs are subjected to discrimination before and after entering the labor market. Employers’ concerns are often associated with a lack of adequate resources and information on the management of this occupational population. Inclusive practices such as ability building programs, flexible working schedules, mentoring and top management commitment can be effective tools for achieving positive outcomes for workers and organizations. Discussion and Conclusion: The employment of PWDs should be analyzed as a continuous process, providing opportunities for training and professional development. Evidence-based strategies are needed for the selection and career advancement of PWDs. Formal disability-related policies should be implemented in the workplace as part of the strategic plan. Take-home message: This review offers new insights into the management of different disabilities in the workplace considering the views of workers and employers, thus highlighting the need for a differential approach. Future studies are required to investigate the employment of PWDs in the context of the post-pandemic world of labor.