Workplace structures and culture that support the wellbeing of people with an intellectual disability

There are a range of supported and open employment workplaces where people with an intellectual disability work, and this is an important setting that can influence health and wellbeing outcomes. This research explored the organisational characteristics, structures, and cultural elements that contribute to positive wellbeing for workers with intellectual disability. The key elements were:

• offering a diversity of roles and opportunities
• customised training and task matching
• a flexible approach to work rosters
• offering a range of workplace environments (e.g. busy versus calm environments)
• providing holistic and tailored support. 

The results illustrate that providing positive wellbeing outcomes in the workplace for this cohort should not be considered from a program perspective but as part of whole of organisation design and culture. With the current movement towards more opportunity in open employment, it will be important that these features are replicated in all workplaces where people with an intellectual disability are employed.