Social firm

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A Social Firm is a business created for the employment of people who have a disability or are otherwise disadvantaged in the labour market. The commercial and production activities are undertaken in the context of a social mission, with profits generally going back to further its goals. A significant number of the employees of social firms will be people with a disability or disadvantage, including psychiatric disabilities. The firms grew out of disillusionment with mainstream businesses, and the failure to recognise or enable everyone's potential. All workers are paid a market-rate wage or salary that is appropriate to the work. All employees are intended to have the same employment opportunities, rights and obligations.

[edit] History

The original social firms were established in the 1980s. Firms in Europe started to prosper and employ increasing numbers of people with a disability. Schemes, and coordinating organisations, became more established and numerous in the 1990s.