How can employers support people from disadvantaged groups without violating the principle of equal treatment? What opportunities does Slovak legislation provide, and how can these be applied in practice? These questions were among the key topics addressed during an expert online webinar organised as part of the PLAZA project – Platform of Stakeholders Active in the Employment of Disadvantaged Groups.
The event attracted employers, HR professionals, representatives of organisations, and members of the expert community. More than 30 participants registered for the webinar. The event was opened by Magdaléna Rothová from the Association for Culture, Education and Communication (ACEC). Martin Menšík, Project Manager at the Employment Agency of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region, introduced the PLAZA project and its objectives.
The keynote speaker was Marián Mesároš, a long-standing legal expert at the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights, whose work focuses on providing support, consultations, and monitoring in the field of temporary special measures. He is also the co-author of several professional publications on the topic.
During his presentation, he explained the principle of equal treatment, the issue of discrimination, and the practical application of temporary special measures in Slovakia. He emphasised that the purpose of these measures is not to favour one group over another but to create more equal opportunities for people who face barriers to entering or remaining in the labour market.
A significant part of the discussion focused on employers’ practical experience. Participants noted that while introducing support measures may involve additional organisational costs, it can also help fill positions that have remained vacant for long periods, stabilise work teams, and contribute to corporate social responsibility objectives. Temporary special measures do not require the creation of new jobs; rather, they seek more effective ways to remove barriers to the employment of disadvantaged groups.
The discussion also highlighted that employers need not only legislative guidance but also practical methodological materials, examples of good practice, and opportunities to consult on specific situations. For this reason, the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights is preparing methodological resources, educational activities, and additional tools to support employers in implementing temporary special measures in practice.
At the conclusion of the webinar, participants agreed that promoting the employment of disadvantaged groups requires long-term cooperation among employers, experts, public institutions, and civil society organisations. Bringing these stakeholders together and creating opportunities for the exchange of experience are among the main objectives of the PLAZA project.
“I believe we will continue to return to this topic together in the future. The most important thing is to show employers that they are not alone in supporting disadvantaged groups. Effective solutions, expert assistance, and organisations ready to act as partners in implementation already exist,” concluded Michaela Mudronová from the Employment Agency of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region.
The speaker’s presentation is available here: Temporary Special Measures
The PLAZA project – Platform of Stakeholders Active in the Employment of Disadvantaged Groups – brings together organisations, employers, experts, research institutions, and public bodies to create a functional ecosystem of social innovation in the field of employment. Through expert events, educational activities, and stakeholder cooperation, the project supports solutions that help remove labour market barriers and improve the employability of disadvantaged groups.
The PLAZA project is funded under the Slovakia Programme 2021–2027 through the SocInoLab call, Developing Innovation Ecosystems and Creating Tools to Support Social Innovation. The project is co-financed by the European Union and the state budget of the Slovak Republic.
