In cooperation with the Upper Austria Business Service, IKEA actively supports the professional inclusion of people with disabilities.

The "Week of Inclusion" at IKEA was organized in collaboration with the company's services department and the Upper Austrian state project "Work and Inclusion." People with disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health problems, young people with special needs, and people from workshops had the opportunity to experience the working world at IKEA firsthand – and learn what inclusion looks like in everyday company life.

At the IKEA Haid location, participants were able to gain practical work experience, gain exciting insights into the diverse IKEA world, and participate in a diverse program. This program not only offers numerous opportunities for exchange, but also demonstrates, using concrete examples, how inclusion is successfully implemented in the workplace.

The aim of the initiative was to introduce participants to the diverse employment opportunities at IKEA through various offerings and, subsequently, to attract motivated people with disabilities to IKEA as potential employees, emphasizes Marlene Foller, People & Culture Manager at IKEA Haid: "At IKEA, we attach great importance to inclusion and promoting diversity in our teams. To this end, we are happy to use the awareness-raising measures offered by the Upper Austrian Operations Service before new hires or during onboarding to get all employees on board in the best possible way. The collaboration with the Upper Austrian Operations Service and the implementation of the Week of Inclusion in Haid are important steps towards offering people with disabilities career prospects and specifically utilizing their potential within our company," explains Foller.

IKEA Country Customer Fulfillment Manager Melanie Eltzner also emphasizes the added value of the initiative: "We are very pleased that through Inclusion Week, we can emphasize the importance of inclusion and diversity within our company and thus build a significant bridge to the job market. The activities so far speak for themselves: Through targeted measures to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities at IKEA, we actively receive many applications from people with disabilities and receive positive feedback from customers at our locations. The research project on group inclusion research by IKEA Distribution Services Wels also shows how inclusive collaboration can be successfully promoted within the company, which factors strengthen motivation, innovation, and team spirit – and where barriers still exist."

Dr. Johannes Hofer, director of the Institute for Sensory and Language Neurology at the Brothers of Mercy, emphasizes, "We are facing a first in the German-speaking world: For the first time, scientific research has investigated how group inclusion can be successful for people with sensory impairments, especially for deaf people. This research is groundbreaking because it shows that inclusion is not only a social but also a medical challenge. Our goal is to break down barriers and make genuine participation in working life possible for those affected."

Support from politics

Not only IKEA itself is convinced of the initiative, but also Upper Austrian state and municipal politicians: "Professional participation is a key to self-determination and social inclusion for people with disabilities. At the same time, companies that employ people with disabilities also benefit: Inclusion strengthens the working atmosphere and opens up new perspectives. It is impressive to see the commitment with which these people carry out their work and, in doing so, have a lasting, positive impact on their environment. The Week of Inclusion impressively demonstrated how companies and people with disabilities can successfully work together. With the support of the Upper Austrian Business Service – a joint project between the federal and state governments that is unique in Austria – new employment opportunities are being created at IKEA. At the same time, an inspiring example is being created of how the expertise and talents of people with disabilities can be profitably incorporated into companies. A true win-win situation for everyone involved," said Christian Dörfel, Upper Austria's Minister for Social Affairs.

Together for greater participation in the labor market

Jürgen Bockmüller, Deputy Head of the Upper Austria Social Ministry Service, emphasizes: "It is crucial to focus on the skills and talents of people with disabilities so that they can fully develop their potential in the job market. The Week of Inclusion creates a unique framework for this: Through direct practical experience, companies and potential employees can be brought together in a targeted manner. This not only enables a suitable match but also represents an important step toward a sustainably inclusive workplace. For this reason, we have also decided to financially support group inclusion research at IKEA in Wels, as we are convinced that the results will also open up opportunities for other companies."

Ansfelden's mayor, Christian Partoll, emphasizes: "It's great to see this important initiative being implemented by a renowned company like IKEA. The cooperation between the Upper Austrian Business Service and IKEA impressively demonstrates how companies can open up real opportunities for people with disabilities."

For Michaela Billinger, head of the AMS Traun office for Linz-Land, the initiative demonstrates that inclusion is a win-win for everyone involved. "The path to an inclusive world of work begins with openness, recognizing skills, and opening up opportunities. Projects like the Week of Inclusion demonstrate how successful collaborations can jointly create sustainable opportunities for professional participation. They offer people with disabilities the opportunity to apply their strengths in practice and thereby gain long-term prospects."

Melanie Hofinger, the new AMS office manager for Linz and the Urfahr area, emphasizes: "Especially in times of skilled labor shortages, we must utilize all potential – and this includes people with health restrictions. Currently, around 30 percent of our registered unemployed people are in this group – and the number is rising. This shows how important it is to raise awareness, inform, and support companies. Inclusion is not a burden, but a real opportunity and often a driver of innovation. We at AMS have a clear mission to connect people and work – and today, in this company, we are seeing how successful inclusion can be. This example should set a precedent."

Claus Jungkunz, Head of the Upper Austria Business Services, also emphasizes the benefits of this joint cooperation: "The Week of Inclusion highlights how crucial it is to break down barriers and specifically utilize the potential of people with disabilities within companies. Inclusion is not only a social mandate, but also an economic advantage: Companies that embrace diversity attract committed employees, increase their innovative power, and secure their competitiveness. With tailored support and strong partnerships, a working world is created in which diversity is seen as a strength, and every company benefits when everyone can contribute their potential to the best of their ability. The Business Services accompanies them every step of the way."