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A collage of diverse people connected to the Supported Employment Program at Microsoft.

Supported Employment

Creating meaningful employment opportunities.
 
 
Two men in t-shirts stand together shoulder to shoulder, smiling. They stand outdoors with a tree and other landscaping behind.

What is the Supported Employment Program?

Microsoft’s Supported Employment Program partners with suppliers to create job opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Since launching in 2013, the program has engaged more than 600 workers across 28 countries. Supported employees are hired by suppliers based on merit and must meet the requirements needed for roles spanning every part of our operations. The program helps support their productivity and success on the job.

Supported employees are paid in accordance with Microsoft’s Supplier Code of Conduct, which requires fair wages for all workers, including those with disabilities, and prohibits sub-minimum wage practices. This approach helps address workforce needs while unlocking untapped potential.

Play the program overview video
 
 

Providing opportunities

Workers with I/DD receive wages and benefits from their supplier employers, plus the social benefits of working alongside colleagues of all abilities.

Supported Employees have been hired into over 40 different job types, including:
  • Café ambassador
  • Shuttle fueler/washer
  • Move team support staff
  • Reception/office assistant
  • Mail processing clerk
  • Warehouse technician
  • Laboratory technician
  • Facility inspector
  • Day porter
  • Audio-visual assistant
  • Food service worker
  • Groundskeeper

Toolkits

Microsoft is proud to support inclusive employment through partnerships with supplier organizations. Suppliers employ and supervise Supported Employees, including providing job coaching. Supported Employees are not employed or supervised by Microsoft.
 
 

Microsoft Supported Employment: Toolkit

This free, optional toolkit provides suppliers and their teams with resources and documents to help launch similar programs. We encourage organizations to use it to open doors to employment opportunities for individuals with I/DD.

Play the Toolkit video Explore v3.0 of the toolkit
Microsoft Supported Employment Manager, Gillian Maguire
 
 

Knowledge center

We provide training and offer best practices for hiring Supported Employees, creating a welcoming workplace, delivering effective onboarding, and building strong partnerships among employers, employees, and job coaches.

Prepare

Learn the four foundations for hiring a Supported Employee at your organization.

Explore the four foundations Request for information | PDF

Interview

Learn how to adapt your hiring practices to be inclusive.

Adapt your approach

Onboard

Learn how to utilize resources and team members to make onboarding a great experience for all.

Improve onboarding Disability etiquette | DisabilityIN

Support

Learn how job coaches or other trained professionals can assist you and your Supported Employees to be successful.

Consider trained professionals Program overview | Video