Picture of Picture of Two colleagues sharing their disability stories.

How EY empowers people to rise above their disability

Multidisciplinary professional services organization.

04 Dec 2023

To commemorate the International Day of the Persons with Disabilities, Taru and Oskar write about their amazing journeys at EY.

Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of EY and something we all work toward, every single day. To commemorate the International Day of the Persons with Disabilities, we have been organizing a series of awareness campaigns and events at the EY offices to uphold and advocate our commitment to disability inclusiveness. Here, Taru Matilainen, who struggles with narcolepsy, and Oskar Eikeseth, who suffers from cerebral palsy, share their remarkable journeys with us and how they feel included and empowered at every step of the way.

Auditor Taru Matilainen writes about what it is like to work at EY with narcolepsy.

I joined EY in December 2022 as an auditor at the Kuopio office, and before that I worked as a financial management specialist at an accounting firm for about five years. I have a BBA in Financial Administration. I am on partial disability pension due to narcolepsy cataplexy, and I work part-time at EY. Narcolepsy is a very varied disease, so I'm just scratching the surface of how it affects my everyday life.

Narcolepsy is a neurological disease that causes severe daytime fatigue and bouts of sleepiness that are almost impossible to fight. The fatigue could be compared to that of an ordinary person who hasn’t slept for three days. Brain fog happens daily. I pretty much fall asleep straight into REM sleep, which is why I dream after just a five-minute nap.

Sleep is not restorative, and I need longer periods to recover after everyday tasks. For example, I must make choices about whether to go to work, exercise, go to the grocery store, cook or play with my child. So even on my day off, I can't do nearly everything I would like. After a full (i.e., 8–16-hour) working day, I do practically nothing at home in the evening. After half a day, I can cope better with normal everyday chores.

In cataplexy, my muscles relax abruptly during emotional reactions, which can be seen, for example, with pens falling out of my hands. As with many diseases, stress worsens the symptoms, and worsening symptoms cause stress. There is no cure for the disease, but treatment can reduce the symptoms. Narcolepsy is treated with, among other things, medication, ensuring a regular rhythm of life and planned naps. Life requires a lot of balancing, and it's important to put health first – regardless of other people's opinions.

Read more about narcolepsy on the Project Sleep website.
Applying for a job with partial work ability or with an illness that affects functional capacity can be very stressful. Even though you should not discriminate, biases and prejudices are still tight in some places. The jobseeker may be open and honest, but at the same time feel fearful of being left out when looking for a job.

I had a great recruitment experience at EY. I applied for a full-time position, even though I knew I wouldn’t be able to work the whole day. I did this as there are only very few part-time expert positions. During the interview, I spoke openly about my condition, which was well received.

Before the interview, I remember being quite nervous. Not so much about the interview itself, but about the fact that I would have to reveal my condition to the interviewers without knowing what they would think about my neurological disease. My fear was unnecessary, as I was treated with consideration and kindness. Coincidentally, one of the interviewers worked part-time themselves. This gave me hope that I, too, would have the opportunity to advance in my career despite my illness.

During the interview, we discussed the kind of support I would need in my work and the kind of working hours that I would be comfortable with. However, we focused most on the essentials, i.e., my competence and skills, as well as about myself as an employee. A couple of days later, I received a call that I had been selected and soon the contractual processes were taken of. It was a very positive experience overall, one that I still talk about to my friends and acquaintances.

If you can work part-time, I encourage you to also apply for full-time jobs and be open about your situation at the interview. You may find opportunities that would not otherwise arise. If you're the right person for the job, all other things will fall in place.
In my opinion, EY pays great care and attention to the special arrangements that people with partial work ability would require. I have not encountered any discrimination or prejudice here. On the contrary, I feel included in the work community and the atmosphere has been encouraging and accepting from the beginning. I have been open and have answered my colleagues' questions about my condition, helping break down prejudices. I should mention that the same week I started, EY organized a Disability Awareness Week, which I found very impressive!

I take a nap during the work day, if necessary, which is why I have my own pillow with me at the office. I have also set up a resting place for myself there. The Helsinki office also has a room for resting that is freely available and such facilities, I feel, are required at all workplaces.

EY has a hybrid work model that makes the world of work accessible to everyone. For me, the possibility to work remotely is very important and helps me cope as I don't burn energy every day commuting.

I hope that other organizations also realize that what is half the working hours for one employee, can correspond to the entire working hours for a person with partial work ability. In today’s work life, we shouldn’t just focus on and glorify the long working hours but instead focus on the quality of work and the employee’s competence.

Partial disability does not make an employee less valuable in any way. Being sick or working part-time due to family reasons, for example, doesn't mean you are not intelligent, talented, conscientious or even the most efficient employee in the office. 

Career advancement with partial work ability is not always self-evident, but at EY, the path is equal for all, and the work community considers each of you valuable. Those of us with disabilities have a lot to offer when we get the chance.

Oskar Eikeseth, a Consultant in Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS), shares his EY journey

I am Oskar Eikeseth, a consultant in the Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS) at EY Norway. I joined the firm in August this year right after finishing my Master’s in Economics. I remember being really excited to start my first job at EY, but also a bit nervous about how my colleagues and clients would perceive me and my disability. I was born with cerebral palsy and have issues with both balance and speech. My disability is, to put it simply, very visible to other people.

As a disabled, you are often met with discrimination all your life. Therefore, you tend to underestimate yourself and your capabilities. So I had my apprehensions while applying to EY in January this year. But I had a good gut feeling from the start as I found the interviewers to be very understanding of my situation and they even expressed their willingness to accommodate me despite my disability.

Standing colleague marking the disability awareness day

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

Oskar Eikeseth

Consultant, FAAS

An incident that left an indelible mark on me is the final interview with a Partner in the team, who asked me if my disability had affected the way I think about my career. I felt it was a very thought-provoking question. When he called me up later that day to tell me that I had been hired, he assured me that it was not only because of my disability, but because of my skills and competencies.

On joining EY, every employee gets a “buddy” who helps you settle down in your new role. My buddy, who was extremely thoughtful and kind, helped set up a meeting with the Talent team and my service line representatives to understand what kind of arrangements I would need at the office. Of course, it is difficult to predict what you would need before you start. Therefore, we have been having regular follow-up meetings with the person responsible for facilitation in my sub-service line.

The best part of my journey at EY has been how the people within the company have treated me. From day one, I felt included and part of the team, especially in FAAS, where there were a group of people who had joined the firm along with me.

During my second week at EY, all of us got the opportunity to attend the Nordic Induction Program (NIP) in Strömstad, Sweden, together with all the new hires from FAAS in the Nordics. This was an amazing experience, both to prepare to go out and work with clients and to socialize and get to know my new colleagues. All my needs were taken care of, and I was given the room closest to the hotel reception for my convenience. NIP is a hectic program, and everyone tends to get exhausted after a week like that. But I was allowed to take the breaks as needed, and to rather prioritize the social events where I got to meet my new colleagues.

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

Oskar Eikeseth
Consultant, FAAS

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

Oskar Eikeseth
Consultant, FAAS

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

Oskar Eikeseth
Consultant, FAAS

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

Oskar Eikeseth
Consultant, FAAS

The International Day for Persons with Disabilities is a day to remind ourselves of the discrimination disabled people face on a day-to-day basis and think what we can do to prevent it. At EY, we greatly value inclusion and diversity. Disability inclusion is, in fact, at the heart of EY as that is how it all started! EY’s co-founder, Arthur Young, was in fact a deaf lawyer with poor vision. He couldn’t comfortably practise in the courtroom for long due to his disability and this served an important driver for his innovation and entrepreneurship.

Why EY?

Why should you as a disabled person apply to and start working at EY? At the first glance, I too felt that a consultancy firm like EY wouldn’t a good fit for me. But now I realize I was completely wrong!

At EY, we value differences and learn from them. As a disabled person, you will be seen as the whole you, not just your disability. But it is not that they act like it doesn’t exist.

I feel that my life experiences as a disabled is highly valued here and acknowledged. I am allowed to come up with poor jokes on my disability or rant about some discriminating experience I just faced. I’m allowed to comment on some project if I see they could implement better solutions for disabled people. On the other hand, I can also work on financial reporting or other projects that has nothing to do with disability.


Tips for job seekers with disabilities:
Be open. You don't have to share all your health information but being open about your condition will help the recruiter better understand your situation and shed prejudice. Feel free to search for places that interest you. Think in advance about what kind of support you would need at work. The phrase "the measure of a good employee is not how many hours you can work" can be used freely.
Tips for employers:
It is good to have a calm resting place at the workplace, open to everyone. Small rest breaks during the day can benefit healthy employees as well. Ask, be politely curious and throw prejudices in the trash. Let the employee tell you how their disability affects work. Create equal opportunities for career advancement and invest in a diverse work community.


Tips for job seekers with disabilities:
Be open. You don't have to share all your health information but being open about your condition will help the recruiter better understand your situation and shed prejudice. Feel free to search for places that interest you. Think in advance about what kind of support you would need at work. The phrase "the measure of a good employee is not how many hours you can work" can be used freely.
Tips for employers:
It is good to have a calm resting place at the workplace, open to everyone. Small rest breaks during the day can benefit healthy employees as well. Ask, be politely curious and throw prejudices in the trash. Let the employee tell you how their disability affects work. Create equal opportunities for career advancement and invest in a diverse work community.

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Summary

Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of EY and something we all work toward, every single day. To commemorate the International Day of the Persons with Disabilities, we have been organizing a series of awareness campaigns and events at the EY offices to uphold and advocate our commitment to disability inclusiveness. Read the remarkable journey from Taru Matilainen, who struggles with narcolepsy, and Oskar Eikeseth, who suffers from cerebral palsy, on how they feel included and empowered at every step of the way.

About this article

EY Denmark

Multidisciplinary professional services organization.

About this article

EY Denmark

Multidisciplinary professional services organization.

EY refers to the global organization, and may refer to one or more, of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients.

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How EY empowers people to rise above their disability

To commemorate the International Day of the Persons with Disabilities, Taru and Oskar write about their amazing journeys at EY.

Auditor Taru Matilainen writes about what it is like to work at EY with narcolepsy.

Oskar Eikeseth, a Consultant in Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS), shares his EY journey

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

Why EY?

Summary

Insights

Trending topics

Spotlight

Services

Spotlight

Industries

Case studies

Careers

Spotlight

About us

Spotlight

How EY empowers people to rise above their disability

To commemorate the International Day of the Persons with Disabilities, Taru and Oskar write about their amazing journeys at EY.

Auditor Taru Matilainen writes about what it is like to work at EY with narcolepsy.

Just a little tired?

The exhausting job search

What is it like to work at EY with partial work ability?

Oskar Eikeseth, a Consultant in Financial Accounting Advisory Services (FAAS), shares his EY journey

Where my skills and competencies matter

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

“

If you join EY, I promise you an organization that will welcome you into its fold and supportive colleagues who will make you feel like you are one among them.

Why EY?

Summary