The gender pay gap has been
hitting the headlines recently but what about the disability employment gap?
Under the Equality Act 2010 a
disability is defined as “a physical or mental impairment which has a
substantial and long-term adverse effect on [one’s] ability to carry out normal
day-to-day activities.”
The disability employment gap is
the difference between employment rates of disabled and non-disabled people. According
to the Labour Force Statistics published in summer 2017, the disability
employment gap remained unchanged at 31.3 percentage points. That means that there is a gap of roughly 30%
between disabled and non-disabled individuals in employment.
Prejudices, coupled alongside a
lack of understanding by employers, have contributed to the employment gap. Employers
ought to be aware that the Access to Work scheme is available and is a publicly
funded employment support program set up to provide funds to help more disabled
people start or stay in work.
Under the Equality Act 2010 there
is a duty for employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled workers.
The support provided by Access to Work covers interventions that go beyond this
duty, and grants are assessed on an individual basis. On 20 March 2018 the
Government raised the cap on funding by £15,000 so that the annual cap is now
£57,200.
In 2015 the Government said that
they will aim to halve the disability employment gap and this was taken to mean
by the end of the Parliament. However, the Government has clarified that there
is no specific time period on this pledge but it has talked of a “10 year
strategy.”
Rightly so, gender inequality has
been brought to the forefront for challenge. However, the disability employment
gap is equally as important and ought to demand the same attention for change. In
the words of the late Professor Stephen Hawking “we have a moral duty to remove
the barriers of participation, and to invest sufficient funding and expertise
to unlock the vast potential of people with disabilities.”
In a climate where businesses are
regularly highlighting labour shortages or employment skill gaps, let them be
reminded that there is an additional 30% potential workforce available to be
utilised.
For further information on Employment Rights please visit our website or call 0033 3344 9603 and ask to speak with our Employment Rights team.
Kamran Sadiq - Solicitor
For further information on Employment Rights please visit our website or call 0033 3344 9603 and ask to speak with our Employment Rights team.