An estimated 14,200 people with disabilities in Dorset have changed their jobs or fallen out of work last year, according to new TUC analysis.
The South West Trades Union Congress (TUC) along with the GMB trade union are today (Monday) launching a new disability passport that will help approximately 14,200 people with disabilities in Dorset who fall out of work or switch employers each year.
People with disabilities can leave their jobs for many reasons. One preventable reason is when employers fail to carry out their legal duty to make – and keep in place – the reasonable adjustments their disabled staff need to do their jobs.
With one in 10 disabled people dropping out of work, and one in seven finding new employment every year, the South West TUC and the GMB believe it is vital to find a more successful and unified way of agreeing and recording what modifications need to be put in place.
Together, the TUC and the GMB have produced a model Reasonable Adjustments Employer Agreement for workplace representatives to agree with the employer, as well as a template Reasonable Adjustments Passport for individual workers that records what adjustments have been put into place to eliminate barriers in the workplace.
Examples of the type of adjustments that could be recorded in the passport include:
providing specially adapted equipment (like a chair, desk or computer)
temporarily changing the duties of the job,
changing break times or working patterns, or
allowing flexible working or time off for medical appointments.
Once the adjustments are agreed, the passport is signed by all involved.
The document can be reviewed at regular intervals and means disabled people don’t have to explain their requirements every time their line manager changes, or the person with disabilities changes roles within the organisation.
Regional Secretary of the South West TUC, Nigel Costley said:
“People with disabilities face many barriers when it comes to finding good, rewarding jobs. Employers must do more to ensure they provide the reasonable adjustments legally required to support their workers.”
“Disabled workers live with the constant threat of losing their reasonable adjustments every time their boss or job changes.”
“This Passport is an ideal place to officially and clearly record what adjustments have been agreed. It means workers aren’t going back to the starting line every time there is a change in the workplace.”
More info:
Number of disabled people changing employers or dropping out of work last year
|
Disabled employees who have been with current employer less than a year |
Disabled people not in work who left their last job within the last year |
Total disabled people changing jobs or leaving work in last year |
|
|
South West |
58,710 |
35,930 |
94,640 |
|
Dorset |
8807 |
5390 |
14196 |
Figures: 4-quarter average for the latest quarters (Q4 2017-Q3 2018) from the ONS Labour Force Survey, with TUC analysis for further regional breakdown.
– There are 3.9 million disabled people in work.
– When a workplace feature or practice puts a worker or job applicant with a disability at a disadvantage, the employer has a duty under the Equality Act 2010 to see what reasonable adjustments can be made. An employer who fails to meet their legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments is in breach of the law and could be taken to an Employment Tribunal. For more information visitwww.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=607
– Government research, in the report ‘Improving Lives: The Future of Work, health and Disability’, shows disabled people are twice as likely to fall out of work. You can read the report here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/663399/improving-lives-the-future-of-work-health-and-disability.PDF
– To see the full report click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UmlouEHdrhtTk_3DntlV07wh32p6Uh_U/view
– To see a model workplace policy click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UjSinN8gaq3U09Xv9toG77TKh_cHL2il/view
– To see a model passport click here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mvrh1Uv3Zi1kVWlXvcrQAIsPQIvsnUb7/view
– The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together more than 5.5 million working people who make up our 49 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
