To content
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences

Dr. Tomke S. Gerdes represented with a lecture at the 33rd Rehabilitation Science Colloquium, the German Congress for Rehabilitation Research, 18.-20.03.2024, in Bremen

Students with handicap are sitting together on campus. © Jürgen Huhn​/​TU Dortmund

Together with Dr. Marie S. Heide, University of Köln, Dr. Tomke S. Gerdes sheds light on similarities, differences and synergies between representatives of severely disabled employees and consultants for company integration management (Betriebliches Eingliederungsmanagement)

Under the title "Schwerbehindertenvertretung und Berater*innen für Betriebliches Eingliederungsmanagement: Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede erkennen und Synergien nutzen", Gerdes and Heide take a comparative look at the representation of severely disabled employees (SBV) (§177 to §180 SGB IX) and Betriebliches Eingliederungsmanagement (BEM) (§167 Para. 2 SGB IX) in order to uncover potential for cooperation. On the one hand, this lies in the specific cooperation of employees with severe disabilities who are entitled to BEM due to prolonged or repeated incapacity for work. On the other hand, there is potential for cooperation in the improvement of health-promoting and inclusive working conditions. Although the representatives of severely disabled employees and the Betriebliches Eingliederungsmanagement have different legal mandates and target groups, the actors are important drivers in promoting inclusion and participation in working life.