Disabled Workers Continue to Face Discrimination, study finds

Leading disability charity Leonard Cheshire has highlighted continued discrimination against disabled workers; with 1 in 5 employers less likely to employ people with a disability.

Its latest research shows the continuing stigma against disabled workers, and is calling for action to break down barriers to employment for disabled people. Additionally, the latest TUC poll found that disabled workers have been “hit hardest” in the wallet by Covid-19. This meant financial hardship for many, resulting in increased debt and many being forced to use food banks.

Around 40% of disabled workers faced financial difficulty during the pandemic compared to 27% non-disabled workers. They said that they had experienced: 

• Increasing debt: 16% of disabled workers said their level of debt have increased compared to  11% of non-disabled workers. 
• Cutting back on spending:  28% of disabled workers were forced to cut back on spending, compared to around  18% non-disabled workers. 
• Using food banks: 6% of disabled workers were twice as likely to have visited a food bank; compared to 3% of non-disabled workers.

Also worrying is the fact that 22% of disabled workers are twice as likely to say they were concerned about losing their jobs; compared to 11% of non-disabled workers. Additionally, non-disabled workers are now paid 16.5% more a year than non-disabled workers, according to new TUC analysis.

DISABILITY PAY GAP

Leonard Cheshire’s research backs the TUC study, confirming that disabled workers have been left behind by the Covid-19 recovery. The vast majority (89%) of disabled young people (18-24 year-olds) have been affected by the pandemic. And, one in five employers (19%) would be less likely to employ a disabled person than a non-disabled person, according to the study. 

The TUC and Leonard Cheshire are urging the government to act now to close the disability employment and pay gap; and ensure disabled people gain and retain quality employment.  “Disabled workers have been hit hardest by Covid-19. Many have been pushed into financial hardship and left without a safety net. With a cost-of-living crisis looming we need urgent action from ministers,” stated TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady. “As we saw with the last financial crisis disabled people are all too often first in line for redundancy; and those who keep hold of their jobs face a yawning pay gap. Disabled people deserve much better. We need mandatory disability pay gap reporting to shine a light on poor workplace practices that fuel inequality at work. Without this, millions of disabled workers will be consigned to years of lower pay and in-work poverty.” 

Leonard Cheshire ‘s Director of Policy at Gemma Hope agreed. “Disabled people have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic; and employment support is vital to ensure they’re not further left behind,” added Hope. “Our research also suggests stubborn levels of stigma amongst employers; and that young disabled people remain adrift in the current job market. We call on government to increase efforts to support disabled job seekers; and recruiters to continue working with us in recognising the depth of talent available.” 

URGENT GOVERNMENT ACTION NEEDED

The TUC and Leonard Cheshire is calling on the government to deliver: 

• Mandatory disability pay gap reporting for all employers with more than 50 employees. This should be accompanied by a duty on bosses to produce targeted action plans outlining the steps they will take to address any gaps identified. 
• Enforcement of reasonable adjustments. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) should get specific funding to enforce disabled workers’ rights to reasonable adjustments. 
• A stronger legal framework for adjustments. The EHRC must update their statutory code of practice to include more examples of reasonable adjustments; to help disabled workers get the adjustments they need quickly and effectively. This will help lawyers, advisers, union reps and human resources departments apply the law and understand its technical detail. 

Click here to access the TUC report on disabled workers.

The TUC has also branded today as Disability Pay Gap Day. Click here to read more.