Ableism and the construction of flex jobs

Researcher and member of Bevica Foundation’s research network, Thomas Bredgaard, has published the article "A Mirror to ‘Normal’ Work – Ableism and the Construction of Flexjobs" in the Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research.

The study examines the underlying norms and assumptions that organise work and the labour market, and their significance for people with disabilities and their participation in employment. The researchers focus on the Danish flex job scheme, an employment programme designed to include people with substantial and permanent reductions in work capacity. The case shows that flex jobs function as a mirror of ableist conceptions of work and the labour market.

The analysis is based on qualitative interviews with flex job employees, employers, stakeholders, and municipal caseworkers. The study investigates ableist assumptions in flex job legislation, its implementation, and the consequences of ableism for employees in flex jobs.

The findings show that ableist notions of the ‘ideal worker’ and ‘normal’ work are widespread in the construction and implementation of flex jobs. While the programme creates meaningful employment for people with disabilities, it often simultaneously confines them to ‘unskilled’ tasks and fewer development opportunities compared to their ‘normal’ colleagues. This raises important questions about workplace inclusion and equal treatment of people with disabilities.