Why would companies not employ people with disabilities in Korea?

Abstract

Unlike existing supply-side employment of persons with disability (PWD) research in Korea, this study focused on demand-side issues. In this study, a qualitative research method was used to explore the perspectives of 20 human resource directors regarding employment of PWD in Korea. Based on the results of this study, the author recommends improving the job skills of people with disabilities, decreasing employer fears about industrial injuries among people with disabilities, reducing tax and social insurance costs for companies employing people with disabilities, setting up workplace accommodations, differentiating employment quota rate of PWD by occupational categories, offering information to companies about people with disabilities who are seeking a job, and stricter implementation of the quota system.

Keywords:

• company
• demand-side approach
• persons with disability
• employment of PWD
• the quota system

Acknowledgements

The author would like to acknowledge the assistance of Sara Van Looy of Cornell University's Employment and Disability Institute (EDI) in the preparation of this manuscript, and the contributions by the following EDI colleagues: Dr Susanne Bruyère, Dr Sarah von Schrader and Dr Zafar Nazarov.