Tuesday 3 December: Eli Lilly (Lilly) Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) has launched a new employee resource group, ‘EnAble’, to enhance inclusion, accessibility and support for employees living with disability.
Backed by employee survey data about self-reported disability, ‘EnAble’ aims to better understand the experiences of employees with apparent and non-apparent disabilities, and make meaningful progress towards a disability confident culture where barriers are minimised and disability is a valued dimension of difference.
Gabrielle Reppen, Lilly ANZ Associate Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Market Access, said, “I’m incredibly proud that Lilly ANZ has launched ‘EnAble’, a chance to deepen our understanding of the varying personal experiences of our employees. By listening and learning to our employees’ experiences, Lilly continues to look for opportunities to understand where we can do better to improve inclusivity and build a disability confident culture.”
Australian research suggests that around 21% of Australians live with a disability1 and a third of employees choose not to share their disability status with their employer.2
“Those living with experience of disability shouldn’t have to shoulder the weight of educating everyone around them about it,” said Reppen. “It’s up to everyone – organisations and leaders especially – to ensure the infrastructure that enables flexibility and individualised support is in place for those who need it.
“Culturally, we all must actively opt in and stay curious to learn about one another and each other’s way of working.”
Today is the United Nation’s International Day of People with Disability. Its theme is ‘Amplifying the leadership of people with disabilities for an inclusive and sustainable future.’
Lauren Leahy, ‘EnAble’ employee ambassador says, “Today, and every day, Lilly recognises the important contributions made by those living with a disability around the world.
“We know that self-reporting of disability in the workplace is low,” says Leahy.
“This could be due to many factors – peoples’ experiences with disability can be highly personal and private.
“This makes the role of an employer, and its people, incredibly important.
“We must ensure our workplaces are not only inclusive, but conducive to self-reporting and psychological safety.
“Ultimately, individuals who may need support in their role shouldn’t feel it’s all on them to discuss what matters to them,” concluded Leahy.
‘EnAble’ is a resource group available to Lilly employees around the world. Its launch in Australia joins global initiatives that assist employees with disabilities, including support around recovery and return to work, personal and carer leave, carer support, flexible and remote work and workplace accommodations.
Media Contact:
Cameron Donald, Corporate and External Affairs Manager, Lilly ANZ
Email: cameron.donald@lilly.com, Phone: +61 424 785 063
References
- Diversity Council Australia, 2024. Disability Data at work. Available at: https://www.dca.org.au/wpcontent/uploads/2024/08/DCA_AusDN_Disability_Data_at_Work_Infographic_Brief.pdf. Accessed November 2024.
- Diversity Council Australia, 2024. Disability Data at work. Available at: https://www.dca.org.au/research/disability-data-atwork#:~:text=Unsurprisingly%2C%20almost%20a%20third%20of%20employees%20with%20disability,disability%20status%. Accessed November 2024.
About Lilly
Lilly is a medicine company making life better for people around the world. We've turned science into pioneering new discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines support more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are urgently advancing new discoveries to solve some of the world's most significant health challenges: treating obesity, redefining diabetes care; advancing the fight against Alzheimer's disease; providing options for some of the most debilitating immune system disorders; and targeting the most difficult-to-treat cancers. With each step towards a healthier world, we're motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. To learn more, visit Lilly.com.au or follow us on LinkedIn. Eli Lilly Australia Pty Limited. Level 9, 60 Margaret Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. ABN 39 000 233 922. Prepared December 2024. PP-MG-AU-0340.