What: Unconscious bias in workplace settings disproportionately affects disabled employees, manifesting through assumptions of incompetence, undermining behaviour, and reduced opportunities for advancement.

Why it is important: With research showing inclusive workplaces achieve 56% better performance , addressing unconscious bias against disabled employees is not just an ethical imperative but a business necessity for retail success.

The pervasive nature of unconscious bias against disabled individuals in the workplace represents a significant challenge for the retail industry. Research indicates that over one-third of people perceive disabled individuals as less productive, with management positions often showing the strongest explicit bias. This disconnect between conscious beliefs and unconscious attitudes is particularly problematic, as many managers who proclaim commitment to diversity simultaneously demonstrate high levels of implicit bias. The article's author, a quadriplegic, shares personal experiences of workplace discrimination, including being excluded from projects and company events based on assumptions about capability. The most common biases include assuming incompetence, unnecessary undermining of independence, and lowered performance expectations, leading to systematic exclusion from opportunities. These biases are especially pronounced in larger companies, where discrimination in hiring processes remains prevalent despite candidates often possessing superior qualifications.

IADS Notes: Recent retail initiatives demonstrate growing awareness of inclusion's importance. Selfridges has expanded its Quiet Hour programme across all stores , while Westfield London has opened permanent sensory rooms , showing commitment to accessibility. Primark's launch of adaptive clothing targeting a GBP 400 billion market  demonstrates the business potential of inclusion. The industry's adoption of the FAIR framework  provides a structured approach to addressing bias, suggesting a shift from symbolic gestures to meaningful action in creating truly inclusive retail environments.

Disability and unconscious bias in the workplace: what we overlook hurts us all