Practical information for managers

Illustration of a man and woman examining a graph.

Various practical information for managers.

Directorate of Labor

The Directorate of Labor offers advice for those with reduced work capacity, including disabled people and other job seekers. The services provided are twofold and tailored to the individual’s support needs. Services include specialized counseling and support for job search and the Employment with Support (AMS) program. AMS assists with job searches as well as offering support and follow-up at the workplace.

Employment with Support (AMS)

Employment with Support is an effective way to assist those needing help to secure jobs in the general labor market. Employment with Support provides extensive assistance to those with reduced working abilities due to mental and/or physical disabilities. Help is provided to find the right job and support is given at the new workplace.

Support AMS provides to the workplace

Emphasis is placed on good cooperation with employers. AMS helps build connections at the workplace and develops a support network there. Support is provided as long as needed, then it is systematically reduced. However, the employer and the employee continue to have access to a counselor as needed. AMS oversees the work contracts of disabled people.

Disabled Person’s Work Contract

The Disabled Person’s Work Contract is a reimbursement agreement for employers who have employed staff with reduced work capacity. The goal and role of the Disabled Person’s Work Contract is to enhance the opportunities for job seekers with reduced work capacity to secure employment in the general labor market.

For more details on the conditions required for a Disabled Person’s Work Contract, how the contract should be set up, the reimbursement process, and who oversees the Disabled Person’s Work Contract, visit the Directorate of Labor's website.

Special focused initiative projects

The Directorate of Labor is authorized to contract with companies, institutions, or non-governmental organizations for the employment of job seekers covered by the unemployment insurance system to work on special, temporary focused initiative projects beyond the legal and normal operations of the relevant entity.

For more information about the conditions for payment of support, contracts, and the rules for reimbursement to employers for work-related labor market measures, visit the Directorate of Labor's website.

Hiring with Disabled Person’s Work Contracts at Reykjavík City workplaces

  1. A workplace has an employee with reduced work capacity or is interested in hiring an employee with reduced work capacity
  2. Contacts the Directorate of Labor or us if the workplace does not already have an employee.
  3. Fills out information for the work contract and include the Department of Human Resources & Work Environments employee in the email cc
  4. The Department of Human Resources & Work Environments approves the contract in the portal
  5. The reimbursement process begins
  6. Payments to the workplace are made quarterly

It is important that all payroll items are included in the work contract upon application:

Overtime, surcharges, breaks, grants, etc.

Consultative group on disability matters in Reykjavík

You can seek the Committee’s assistance for advice and guidance on services for disabled people or when there is a need to improve accessibility for employees or service users.

The consultation group holds a seat on the Reykjavík Human Rights Council, which addresses matters concerning disabled people during two meetings each month.

The group includes representatives from ÖBÍ, Þroskahjálp and the NPA center, as well as city councilors who serve on the Human Rights Council.

From the Human Rights Council resolution:

To improve services for disabled people in Reykjavík and enhance their access to all city services and public spaces, the Human Rights Council is responsible for the following tasks:

1. Ensuring that all city-owned buildings and other facilities where the public receives municipal services, as well as streets, sidewalks, and other public spaces in the city, are accessible to disabled people with diverse accessibility needs. The Human Rights Council presents the annual Reykjavík City Accessibility Award.

2. Influencing the planning and delivery of all services for disabled people in Reykjavík with the goal of improving their access to services, information, housing, city land, and community participation in the broadest sense. The council advises service providers across all departments of Reykjavík City, participates in policy development for services to disabled people, and serves as a consultation forum for disability services in the city. The council's involvement and oversight should occur at all stages of departmental work on disability-related matters—at the beginning, during implementation, and upon completion.

The Vision Center - service and knowledge center for the blind, visually impaired and individuals with integrated vision and hearing impairments

The goal of the Service and Knowledge Center for the Blind, Visually Impaired, and Individuals with Combined Visual and Auditory Impairment is to enhance the abilities of the blind, visually impaired, or those with combined impairments to participate actively in all aspects of society, on par with others, focusing on support for education, independent living, active leisure, and employment participation.

Transportation Services for Disabled People

Disabled individuals who cannot make use of public transport or their own vehicle may be eligible for driving services. The goal of the service is for people to be able to get around when they want to. Pant is responsible for driving services for disabled people.

Rights Protection Officers for Disabled Persons in Reykjavík

  • Rights Protection Officers' phone number: 554-8100
  • Rights protection officer email: rettindagaesla@mannrettindi.is
  • Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. all weekdays. You can leave a message outside those hours. You can also send an email.
  • Falls under the Icelandic Human Rights Institute

Contact:

Regarding hiring personnel with disabilities:

More about Department of Human Resources & Work Environments