INCLUSIVE WORKPLACE ENVIRONMENT: EMPLOYMENT CHALLENGES AND INTEGRATION PRACTICES FOR VETERANS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The article examines the challenges for Ukraine during the period of war, in particular the increase in the number of persons with disabilities and the growing number of future war veterans. In this context, the necessity of creating an inclusive environment at enterprises to facilitate the employment of persons with disabilities and veterans is substantiated. The problems encountered by persons with disabilities when seeking employment are identified, and the experience of leading international companies in addressing these challenges is systematized. Successful Ukrainian cases of creating inclusive workplace environments at enterprises are reviewed. The international experience of encouraging companies to establish inclusive environments, as well as institutional mechanisms for business operating in developed countries, is analyzed. The paper also considers which state support schemes for creating an inclusive environment at enterprises are beginning to be implemented in Ukraine. The article analyzes materials from recent sociological studies on the needs and barriers faced by veterans in employment, the profile of the modern veteran, and the path they follow in adapting to civilian life. Based on this analysis, the key obstacles encountered by former combatants in seeking employment are systematized. The situation regarding the retention of jobs for mobilized citizens is also examined. It is emphasized that fewer than half of mobilized Ukrainians retain their jobs, so the issue of employment and adaptation of veterans is of great importance for the state. The key fears of the business community when engaging veterans in companies are reviewed. The experience of Ukrainian companies in working with veterans is analyzed, and practical recommendations are provided for addressing existing problems in the employment and adaptation of former combatants. The key components of an inclusive environment at an enterprise are substantiated. It is determined that, under the conditions of wartime transformations of Ukraine’s economy, these components should combine physical, organizational, and psycho-emotional dimensions. The elements of each of the identified components of an inclusive environment within a company are described in detail.