Performance Knows no Handicap

Knut Weltlich is Bertelsmann’s Group Representative for Employees with Disabilities – and brings a great deal of passion to his position when it comes to establishing conditions that make it possible for people with and without disabilities to work side by side as a matter of course.

Some people feel that physical disability and workplace performance are mutually exclusive. How would you counter these prejudices?

Weltlich: Usually, prejudice about fellow citizens or colleagues with disabilities stems from ignorance, so the only thing I can say is: inform yourselves, talk to the people and realize that personal attitude is the only thing that counts. Every person with a handicap – I not only believe this devoutly, I experience it on a daily basis – every person is capable of delivering full performance if his workplace is designed for his disability. The options for people with disabilities to fulfill themselves in the professional realm are immense. You just need to look around and find out how. I always say performance knows no handicap.

At Bertelsmann, the rate of employees with disabilities has risen steadily in the past three years. What led to this growth in the number of employees with disabilities?

Weltlich: Thanks to efforts pursued in partnership with our Executive Board we have managed to continue building a climate of trust towards people with disabilities over the past few years. For instance our former Chairman and CEO Gunter Thielen said something very wise: “People with disabilities shouldn’t just have the same opportunities as their colleagues without disabilities, they should also receive full-scale support from their employers.” So we have the commitment of our Executive Board, Liz Mohn’s dedication, and the efforts of the local disability officers to thank for the fact that the percentage of employees with disabilities has risen. Many of our employees and executives have come to realize that disability is not a handicap at Bertelsmann.

Mr. Weltlich, you are also involved in developing technical aids to help your colleagues ease their workaday lives. How do you get your innovative ideas like the standing wheelchair, the visual alert, or the anti-fatigue mats?

Weltlich: My ideas arise from my day-to-day work with people. I look at the problems that employees have in the workplace and think about what might help in performing their tasks. Not having a disability is not something you’re entitled to, but a gift that can be taken away from you again at any time.