Engaged employers – engaged workplaces? Exploring workplace resistance to work inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwD).

This article empirically explores workplace resistance to the inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) within the framework of employer engagement, defined as employers' active participation in facilitating labor market integration of PwDs. Based on qualitative interviews across five Norwegian organizations, the study identifies subtle, often covert resistance from co-workers and middle managers, manifesting as frustration over PwDs' slower work pace, increased workload, social challenges, and perceived impacts on team performance. The findings suggest that while senior management may be committed to inclusion, resistance at the ground level can undermine sustainable employment for PwDs, potentially leading to their early exit. The study highlights the importance of addressing such resistance through dialogue, work organization adjustments, and inclusive practices, and calls for further research to better understand and manage resistance as a critical component of employer engagement in diverse workplace contexts.