Disabled or otherwise, we're all on the same team

Singapore

UNIQLO has been working towards employing at least one person with disability (PWD) per store since 2001 as part of the clothing retailer's global policy of hiring workers with intellectual disabilities.

Today, Uniqlo Singapore employs 28 intellectually disabled workers at their 28 outlets. (see amendment note)

"As a global retailer, we are in a unique position to use our business to change lives," says Elizabeth Yap, Uniqlo Singapore's assistant manager for marketing.

"This includes creating opportunities for people who are sometimes overlooked, and raising employee awareness of co-working with persons with disabilities and building an inclusive society together," she continues.

This also gives Uniqlo a chance to equip PWDs with important working experience, while providing them with the opportunity to meet and interact with other team members regularly.

Uniqlo has made it customary for all employees to be treated equally, regardless of whether they have disabilities.

"All employees - PWDs or not - are tasked with a similar scope of work and guided with the same training manual," reveals Ms Yap. "They also have the same set of benefits, compensation, and a fair chance for career progression."

It is believed that through this policy, PWDs will be better able to take pride in their work, while helping to change perspectives on their capability to contribute to the workplace.

Additionally, Ms Yap commends the meticulous nature with which PWD employees work once they are familiar with their assigned tasks.

"Their passion towards the work they do also motivates people around them which is beneficial for the team," she says.

Part of what makes Uniqlo's policy so successful is the effort made by both PWD and non-PWD employees to foster a good, cohesive working relationship.

When Uniqlo's programme was first launched, job coaches from the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled's (MINDS) Hi-Job programme helped guide team members on how to interact with PWDs and provide them with a conducive environment to work in.

Uniqlo has also set up a buddy system, where the PWD employees can work alongside a fellow employee to receive support as they adapt to the new environment.

With some of the hired PWDs having intellectual disabilities such as autism and Down syndrome, guidance and friendship from more experienced workers go a long way.

"PWDs will first ease themselves into the roles by working in our stockroom. The assigned tasks are often broken down into simpler steps to ease them in and learn better, with the job coaches counselling and coaching the newcomers on the job," explains Ms Yap.

With the number of PWD employees continuing to grow, Uniqlo isn't done yet. Uniqlo Singapore has previously set up Retail @ DSS, a partnership between Uniqlo Singapore and APSN Delta Senior School, to support and improve opportunities for PWDs.

Retail @ DSS is a fashion retail training room that aims to provide an authentic training platform and opportunities for students with special needs to enhance their knowledge and skills in the area of fashion retailing that are current in the industry.

It is the first of its kind in Singapore, and the only such initiative by Uniqlo in any part of the world.

"Uniqlo provided lesson plans, training materials, as well as assisted in the set-up of the authentic fashion retail store in the classroom," says Ms Yap of the training room.

Through this, it is hoped that Uniqlo will be able to boost the number of PWDs in the workforce, as the retailer looks to continue increasing its number of disabled workers.

"We encourage all team members to be patient in communicating with each other," adds Ms Yap. "Staff are also encouraged to write thank-you cards to each other - this helps to motivate and bond the team."

Amendment note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Uniqlo Singapore employed 28 PWDs at their 16 outlets. Uniqlo Singapore in fact has 28 outlets. The article above has been revised to reflect this.