Zara Boss Pledges To Double Disabled Workforce Within Two Years

Zara owner Inditex has pledged to a workforce of more diverse abilities within two years. Photo: … [+] MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images

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Zara owner Inditex has committed the Spanish fashion giant to doubling the number of disabled employees across its global workforce within two years.

On Jan. 26, Inditex’s CEO, Oscar García Maceiras, signed a group endorsement of the International Labour Organization Global Business and Disability Network at a meeting with the ILO’s Director-General, Gilbert F Houngbo, at the institution’s Geneva, Switzerland headquarters.

It means Inditex will potentially hire 1,500 more staff worldwide in order to have at least 2% of its local headcount comprising differing abilities.

The move comes at a time when retailers are trying to create more inclusive workplaces and last summer 18 U.S. retail companies received a score of 80 or above at the unveiling in Dallas, Texas of the annual Disability Index Equality Index, earning them the title of ‘Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion’.

That recognition came from the DEI, a joint initiative of Disability:IN and the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD). It measures key performance indicators across organizational culture, leadership, accessibility, employment, community engagement, support services and supplier diversity.

Inditex Looks To Boost Inclusion

In the case of the Inditex initative, the company made its commitment to boost “the inclusion of people with differing abilities across its stores, logistics platforms, warehouses and offices worldwide” as part of its aim to “consistently outperform the disabled employee thresholds required in the various jurisdictions in which it operates”, the company said.

Moreover, in markets where there are no specific requirements, Inditex pledged to the 2% local headcount.

Maceiras confirmed the company’s new aspiration after Inditex endorsed the ILO Global Business and Disability Network, a worldwide network created to promote disability inclusion in the workplace.

He added: “Disability inclusion in the workplace is a core component of our commitment to people. Diversity, fairness and inclusion are values we all embrace, values we pursue day-to-day, in order to have an impact within Inditex as well as all around us: our pledge is to design opportunities for everyone.”

Inditex said that its disability inclusion strategy is focused on championing inclusive recruiting and career development; fostering accessible workplaces conducive to ensuring equal opportunities; facilitating an inclusive shopping experience; and raising team awareness about disability.

US Retailers Champion Change

As for U.S. retailers, the 18 operators that received the Best Place to Work designation in 2022 were Amazon AMZN . Best Buy BBY . CVS Health. Giant Eagle. J.C. Penney. Kohl’s, Kroger KR , Lowe’s, Lululemon, Meijer, Nike, Sephora, Starbucks SBUX , Target TGT , Walgreens and Walmart WMT .

JC Penney was among 18 retailers recognized for the progress they are making around disability. … [+] (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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“There is no single best way to practice disability inclusion. However, the companies taking the DEI share the desire to create a workplace that fosters the concept of bringing your whole self to the office,” said Maria Town, president and CEO of AAPD at the announcement last year.

The Disability Equality Index is a benchmarking tool designed to help companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion.

“We appreciate the ongoing recognition of our efforts to sustain a culture of inclusion that celebrates and supports our team members and customers with disabilities,” said Timothy Williams, VP of diversity and inclusion, Meijer, which was recognized for the sixth consecutive year.

“So much of our success is a direct result of the passion our team members bring to supporting the disability community across our six states, especially through the Meijer Disability Awareness and Advocacy Group.”