Encouraging employees to voluntarily disclose a disability is essential to boosting diversity in the workplace and fostering a more inclusive work environment. Self-disclosure also enables companies to track progress on recruitment, advancement and representation of a range of talent.
On Aug. 10, 2021, the Association of Corporate Counsel New York City Chapter (ACC-NY) raised awareness on that topic and more with the BakerHostetler-sponsored program “Raising Your Hand: How Self-Identification and Requesting Accommodations Can Benefit Both Your Career and Your Employer.” Insights came courtesy of a panel of professionals that included Associates Anat Maytal and Michael Sabella; Richard L. Chen, of Richard L. Chen PLLC; Prashant Dubey, Vice President, Contracts Solutions & Disability Inclusion, at Elevate; and Dalila Castillo Brown, Vice President, Sanctions Compliance, at Societe Generale Corporate and Investment Banking.
The virtual program shared how, in addition to benefiting employers, self-identification also serves employees. This is because those who are comfortable identifying their disability and requesting any needed accommodations are able to put the focus on their work, the workplace and themselves. The panelists discussed how they self-identify, their experiences in so doing – especially with accommodation requests – and best practices for others trying to navigate the process.