Diversity and inclusion policies in publicly traded New Zealand companies: inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to evaluate employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities in publicly traded companies in New Zealand. Design/methodology/approach The diversity and inclusion (DI) policies of 163 publicly traded companies listed on the New Zealand equity market were examined and compared to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) reporting standards using content analysis with Leximancer software. Findings Only 1.84% of publicly traded companies met all of the GRI reporting standards and disclosed information about the proportion of employees with disabilities in their DI policies. Originality/value To the best of the researcher's knowledge, disclosure of inclusion of people with intellectual disabilities in publicly traded companies in New Zealand has not been studied. This study provides insights into the level of DI in the New Zealand equity market companies related to people with intellectual disabilities.