Asters’ Counsels Marta Halabala and Inesa Letych speak at EBA programme on creating accessible workplaces

The European Business Association (EBA) conducted an educational programme, “Accessible Work Environment — Equal Opportunities for All”.

The two-day programme brought together 14 experts across 12 thematic modules. Participants explored human diversity, universal design, physical and digital accessibility, inclusive HR practices, veteran policies and tools for providing psychological support to teams. Particular attention was given to practical solutions that businesses are already implementing in their day-to-day operations, including the adaptation of office spaces and digital services, the application of universal-design principles, the use of adaptive tableware and the introduction of “quiet hours”.

Asters’ Counsels Marta Halabala, Head of Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development, and Inesa Letych, Co-Head of Employment and Immigration, contributed to the programme as speakers.

Marta Halabala addressed regulatory requirements relating to accessibility, the availability of services and physical and digital environments. She also discussed the role of corporate policies and sustainable-development principles in driving systemic change. Marta commented: “Accessibility is no longer merely a voluntary initiative or an element of corporate social responsibility. For businesses, it is increasingly a matter of compliance with legal requirements, risk management and service quality. At the same time, the key challenge lies not in proclaiming the principle, but in its practical implementation: from corporate policy to specific procedures, designated responsible persons and the actual removal of barriers.”

Inesa Letych focused on non-discrimination in employment relationships, reasonable accommodation, recruitment and internal HR processes that promote equal opportunities for employees. She noted:

“It is important for HR to ask questions that go beyond mere formal compliance with regulatory requirements. First and foremost, the question is whether the system gives a person a real opportunity to find employment, work, develop and exercise their rights on an equal footing with others. That is precisely why reasonable accommodation, accessible internal processes and a culture of non-discrimination must be part of a company’s day-to-day work, rather than an ad hoc response to an individual request.”

The programme provided a platform for sharing experience among companies that have already introduced inclusive solutions into their work processes, as well as those that are only beginning to develop such approaches. For businesses that often need to build these systems from the ground up, practical examples, ready-to-use tools and the opportunity to discuss challenges with experts and peers are particularly valuable.

Asters is the largest full-service law firm in Ukraine with offices in Kyiv, London and Washington, D.C. The firm has access to over 125 jurisdictions through a well-developed network of partner law firms.