Inclusive Employment: How Dentons Rodyk aims to empower individuals with disabilities in the workplace

Inclusivity is Empowering Everyone!

As part of Wantedly’s new series on inclusive hiring in partnership with i’mable by SGEnable, we talk to inclusive employers to get to know more about their challenges, their culture, how they overcome, and thrive together to reach their goals.

When we learnt the world's largest law firm was actively hiring Persons with Disabilities in Singapore, we knew we had to hear from them about their motivation, and how they have prepared their workplace for these talents.

Dentons Rodyk initiated their local Diversity and Inclusion efforts by becoming an Open Door Employer back in March 2023. As the HR Assistant Manager of Dentons, Wei Ting Leow shares why, and how they are going to embark on inclusive hiring.

Wei Ting, can you give a background to your role and share what inclusivity hiring means for Dentons?

In HR, our role involves managing the recruitment process for the firm. Our focus goes beyond simply hiring qualified individuals — we aim to bring talent from diverse backgrounds and experiences who can contribute meaningfully and add value to the organisation. For us, inclusive hiring means evaluating candidates fairly, based on merit, including relevant work experience, transferable skills, and knowledge.

What motivates you as a leader in the workplace to be inclusive? Do you have any personal stories to share?

As part of a global law firm that embraces polycentricity, Dentons has deep local roots and community knowledge that is complemented by a unique global reach. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is exemplified by our Dentons Women committee, which fosters an environment that attracts, develops, and inspires female talent through mentorship initiatives and networking sessions. Beyond the firm, our lawyers also actively support marginalised and disadvantaged communities by enhancing their access to justice through our pro bono committee.

Can you share some of the inclusive practices or policies put in place in Dentons that will support Persons with Disabilities?

Our firm adopts a hybrid work model, allowing employees to work both in-office and from home. We also engage with remote talent based overseas who work entirely off-site. In addition, we collaborate with local organisations that support disadvantaged individuals, and we are committed to promoting their employment by matching them with suitable opportunities within the firm.

As an employer, what kind of support is needed to help the company and its employees continue to successfully champion disability inclusion?

Reasonable Accommodation: Provide necessary adjustments in the workplace to support employees with disabilities in performing their job duties effectively.

Awareness and Training: Provide regular training to employees and managers to raise awareness, challenge biases, and build understanding of different disabilities and how to support colleagues effectively.

How do you envision the work landscape to be like in the future in relation to disability inclusion?

The future of the work landscape in relation to disability inclusion is expected to be more strategic, inclusive, and deeply embedded in organisational culture. HR will lead the shift toward more inclusive recruitment strategies, focusing on skills-based assessments and removing bias from selection criteria. With this shift, there will be increased collaboration with external organisations that specialise in disability advocacy and employment to build inclusive talent pipelines and strengthen support structures.

Based on your efforts, if there’s one thing you could advocate for persons with disabilities in the workplace, what would it be?

Ensuring that individuals with disabilities are not just accommodated, but are empowered to fully participate in all aspects of the workplace — from recruitment and career development to leadership roles.

Dentons is looking to hire, and you can apply here.

Thank you, Wei Ting!

About the campaign

Inclusivity is Empowering Everyone! is a Public Education for Disability Inclusion campaign by Wantedly Hire in partnership with i’mable by SGEnable.

For more inspiring stories on Inclusive Employment, you can follow the series here.

Our public inclusive Job Portal is now live.

If you are an inclusive employer and wish to list your openings, please send your JDs to andrew@wantedly.com.

About i’mable by SGEnable
i’mable celebrates the abilities of persons with disabilities and encourages everyone to take positive action for disability inclusion and commit to building a more inclusive society and enabling lives.

About Wantedly
Our mission is to create a world where work drives passion. We champion employer branding for companies to attract the right talents for the right opportunities. Wantedly Hire is an application tracking system optimised for modern hiring practices.