Leading clothing company rolling out an inclusion programme on a global scale

Inditex in Spain employed 2,041 individuals with disabilities by 2024 through its Inclusion Programme, promoting accessibility across stores, logistics, and offices in 41 countries, focusing on intellectual disabilities.

Inditex is a Spanish multinational clothing company headquartered in Arteixo, Galicia. In 2023, Inditex launched its Inclusion Programme to provide equal opportunities and access to work, thus providing possibilities for people with all types of disabilities to learn and grow. The programme is implemented in Inditex’s stores, logistics centres, and offices in 41 countries. There is a particular focus to include people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As of January 2024, Inditex had 2,041 employees with disabilities.

Problems Targeted

There is a general lack of equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities, worsened by limited access to professional growth and learning opportunities.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

Inditex has collaborated with disability-led organizations to develop its Inclusion Programme, creating roles specifically designed to accommodate employees with disabilities, particularly those with intellectual disabilities. This includes modifying job descriptions and work environments to ensure accessibility and inclusivity. Employees with disabilities are provided with tailored training programmes, including on-the-job training and formal education opportunities, to enhance their skills and ensure they can perform their roles effectively. The Inclusion Programme also works with job coaches and mentors. Inditex promotes an inclusive culture by raising awareness among all employees about the importance of diversity and inclusion through workshops, seminars, and regular communication. During an awareness-raising IMPACT WEEK, the company reached more than 20,000 people. The Inclusion Programme is implemented in more than 41 countries, and this commitment to inclusion extends beyond the organization itself, impacting its supply chain as well. In 2023 the number of people with disabilities employed at Inditex worldwide increased from 1,443 to 2,041 (as of January 2024).

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

The programme is funded internally by Inditex, leveraging its commercial activities to sustain the initiative. There is a firm commitment to expand the programme further, aiming to double the number of employees with disabilities by 2025. The model has potential for replication by other multinational companies seeking to improve their inclusivity and diversity practices and to be extended to organizations in the supply chain. (Zero Project Awardee 2025)

Pictures

Due to its inclusion programme, Inditex had more than 2,000 employees with disabilities in 2014.

Due to its inclusion programme, Inditex had more than 2,000 employees with disabilities in 2014.

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