New research shows just how vulnerable adults with a disability or long-term health condition feel to the risk of discrimination at work.
Clare Pelham: “These figures make frustrating reading”
Some 59 per cent of adults who took part in a survey reported feeling that disclosing their disability or health condition to a potential employer would negatively affect their chance of securing a job. They felt they would be discriminated against whether they made the disclosure in their CV or during an interview.
The survey, commissioned by Leonard Cheshire Disability, also found that:
• 29 per cent said they disagreed they had the same opportunities at work as their non-disabled colleagues
• 25 per cent said they had suffered discrimination in the work place relating to their disability or health condition.
Clare Pelham is Leonard Cheshire Disability’s chief executive. She said: “We know now that when people are open about themselves, and the support they need at work – whether that’s childcare or large font on their emails – that they are happier, more creative and more productive.
“That is why these figures make frustrating reading. Disabled employees need to feel comfortable that their boss will see their talent first and foremost and not the support they need. And employers need to make that clearer.”
Likelihood of discrimination
The research took in the views of more than 400 people with a disability or long-term health condition. Their views on the likelihood of discrimination at work are supported by figures from UK’s Office of National Statistics. These reveal that more than 50 per cent of working age disabled people are either unemployed or outside the labour market.
Leonard Cheshire Disability helps to combat the problem by running Change100, a student employment programme.
The scheme supports talented university students with a disability or a long-term health condition. It helps them to find paid placements over the summer. The initiative also offers participants support during their time at work. In addition, it runs workshops on time-management and practicalities of the first weeks. The scheme includes giving advice on how to disclose a disability to an employer.
Businesses currently enrolled on the scheme include: SABMiller, Lloyds Banking Group, the Department for International Development, The Tate Gallery, Taylor Wimpey, Thomson Reuters and Wall to Wall, a television production company.
Angharad Butler-Rees, 22, was part of 2015’s Change100 intake. She said: “You don’t have to disclose anything at all at work. But it can be helpful for your employer to know if you have a disability, so they can support you.
“You can even just ask for adjustments, rather than explain everything. It is in an employer’s best interests to give you a work environment which helps you thrive and do your best work.”
Published: 11 November 2015
