“ Improving Diversity through

Supported Employment ”

SUPPORTED PERSONNEL LEASING

Maria Egger

hosted by:

In association with:

“Arbeitsbegleitung”•2003 – 2005 Pilot Project co-funded by EU-EQUAL Program•cooperation with partners from France and Germany•based on supported employment models (e.g. SPAGAT/Austria)•successful results continuous service

Since September 2005• permanent service for persons with learning and multiple disabilities• funded by the Regional Government of Upper Austria based on a service level agreement• 2005 – 2012: 50 places• 2012 – 2017: extension to 210 places • 2017 – ff: further deinstitutionalisation

How does it work? - 1•1 job coach is responsible for 8 persons with disability (PwD)•Individualised approach: work places are looked for suitable to strenghtens, capacities and interests of the PwD•Adaptation (social and technical) and / or creation of workplaces according to individual needs together with partner companies•Find a mentor, who is employed with the mainstream enterprise, for each PwD•Job coach works with the whole social system of the PwD (family, partner, friends, authorities,…) if necessary

How does it work? - 2•PwD is employed with FAB (work contract with full social insurance cover; wage is less than collective contract regulation)•Partner companies have to pay per hour to FAB, employee gets a fixed monthely wage (€ 436.- € 803.-) 14x/year.•When loosing a job the PwD keeps employed with FAB and together with the job coach a new workplace is found•The Regional Government pays for the job coach and an administration fee•Costs for the wages of the PwD have to be covered by the income from the companies where PwD work. If these incomes are not sufficient, the Regional Government pays the difference

How does it work? - 3

•PwD work in different branches: e.g. retail trade, industrial production, cleaning services, gastronomy, gardening, office work station, etc.)

•Outplacement rate to employment with mainstream companies is 4% on everage – PwD are afraid of loosing benefits when getting a mainstream work contract

•If necessary PwD may return to their job with FAB sheltered workshop

•Assistance from job coaches is not limited in time

Results 2003 – 2014

•247 PwD have used service of supported personell leasing•35 PwD have gained a permanent work place on mainstream labor market•17 PwD have returned to sheltered workshops•30 PwD have stopped using the service themselves, due to pension, other reasons or death

Success Facts

•Mentor system•Well motivated workers with disability•Diverse work places meet capacities and interests of PwD•Companies appreciate assistance of job coaches•Holistic approach: inclusion of the social system of the PwD•Easier access to employers via practical training at the beginning

Weaknesses

•Companies avoid employment of PwD, get cheep workforce•Inequality of wages •Ongoing dependancy on social benefits

Further developments and challenges

•Fair and non-discriminatory wages – instead of subsidies and benefits•Labor Law aspects•Replacing unqualified employees by PwD – competition between disadvantaged groups of persons•Increased caseload due to reduction of financial means•Increasing unemployment rates due to weak economy•Increasing gap between the rich and the poor

Thank you for your attention!

Maria EggerFAB - Verein zur Förderung von Arbeit und BeschäftigungA-4020 Linz, Muldenstraße 5

Telephone: +43 732 6922 – 5536Mail: office@fab.atwww.fab.at

Financed by: