EMPLOYMENT OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES – BETWEEN LEGAL REGULATIONS AND REALITIES OF THE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

This paper offers an overview of the official aspects regarding the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market and the programs through which inclusive practices are assumed by the business environment. In this regard, we conducted a qualitative study, aiming to explore these realities, by analyzing the concrete experiences of people with disabilities in relation to the labor market in our country. The research was conducted between May and June 2025 through a series of semi-structured interviews with 14 adults with disabilities and captured their opinions on the hiring process, their activity in the work process, the relationship with employers and colleagues, as well as their personal perception of discrimination and the feeling of inclusion and non-inclusion, respectively. The results indicate major psychological and social barriers, such as fear of failure, stigmatization and discrimination, but also highlighting the importance of individual support, peer empathy and job adaptation as facilitators of inclusion. The study also reveals the discrepancy between companies' declarative commitments and the practical application of inclusive principles and emphasizes that a sustainable organizational culture based on empathy and adaptability is essential. Our findings attest to the fact that there is a need to prepare the Romanian business environment for a real conduct of inclusion, beyond the legal or declarative aspects, highlighting the economic opportunities and moral imperatives for the development of company strategies that meet the needs of an undervalued workforce.