Disability, Inclusion & Integrity - Jamie Szymkowiak - Hiring Happy Hour - Episode # 011
“ There's a saying within disabled rights. If it's about us, make sure that we're included. Nothing about us, without us.” - Jamie Szymkowiak
What does it actually mean to build a hiring process that works for everyone, not just the majority? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole sits down with Jamie Szymkowiak, Head of Talent Acquisition at EcoVadis and former political advisor in the UK House of Commons, to dig into one of the most underrepresented conversations in TA: accessible and inclusive hiring for people with disabilities. Jamie speaks from both professional expertise and lived experience, navigating the workforce as a disabled recruiter who became a top 5% biller, then a political activist, and now a global TA leader driving real change. From AI interviewing pitfalls to the three-step framework any organization can start with today, this conversation is equal parts personal, practical, and long overdue.
Takeaways:
Your hiring process sends a message before the interview even begins. Make your job descriptions and careers page explicitly state that accessible interview options are available.
Unconscious bias training isn’t a one-and-done box to check. It needs to be recurring and built into the rhythm of your team, or it quietly fades and old patterns return.
When building inclusive hiring practices, start by talking to the people most affected. Lived experience is your most valuable source of insight and accountability.
Measuring inclusion efforts requires both data and conversation. Don’t overlook the candidates who made it through; they’ve seen your process and are often your most honest, trust-based source of feedback.
Integrity in recruiting shapes your brand permanently. The moment you cut a corner with a client or candidate, the long-term cost far outweighs any short-term win.
Great recruiters don’t just fill roles; they redirect. Giving honest, actionable feedback to candidates who aren’t the right fit, and pointing them toward better opportunities, is one of the most impactful things a TA professional can do.
Quote of the Show:
“ There’s a saying within disabled rights. If it’s about us, make sure that we’re included. Nothing about us, without us.” - Jamie Szymkowiak
Links:
Company website: http://www.ecovadis.com/
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