What shapes quality of working life in work integration social enterprises? Insights from employees with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

This article explores the quality of working life (QoWL) of people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) employed in Work Integration Social Enterprises (WISEs). WISEs are hybrid organizations that combine social and commercial goals and provide important alternative employment opportunities for PWID, yet little is known about how PWID themselves experience their working lives within these tension-driven settings. Drawing on a qualitative, participatory research design, the study is based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews with 16 PWID employed in three Swiss WISEs, alongside a focus group of PWID who contributed to the development of the research design and interview guidelines. The findings show that PWID identify meaningful work experiences, the ability to work independently with tailored support, and opportunities for growth and career development as central to a high QoWL. In particular, peer support structures were valued by participants because they fostered productive work, supportive environments, and career paths, thereby contributing to a high QoWL and simultaneously supporting both the social and commercial goals of WISEs.