NEARLY ONE IN THREE DISABLED WORKERS SAY THEY WERE TREATED UNFAIRLY AT WORK DURING THE PANDEMIC

From ‘Disability Rights UK’

Nearly one in three Disabled workers say they were treated unfairly at work during the pandemic

30 per cent of Disabled workers say that they’ve been treated unfairly at work during the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a new poll published by the Trade Union Congress (TUC). The survey reveals that many Disabled people report that they experienced significant barriers in the workplace before the pandemic, and that Covid-19 has made things worse for them.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, disabled workers were hugely underrepresented and underpaid in the labour market. The employment gap between disabled and non-disabled workers was 28 per cent. Disabled workers are paid 20 per cent less than non-disabled peers.

Recent government figures show that redundancy rates are now 62 per cent higher for disabled workers

One in 13 (eight per cent) said they were subjected to bullying and/or harassment, being ignored or excluded, singled out for criticism or being monitored excessively at work.

One in eight (twelve per cent) said they were concerned their disability had affected their chances of a promotion in the future.

One in eight (13 per cent) said they were concerned their disability had affected how their performance would be assessed by their manager.

The TUC says that any proposed National Strategy for Disabled People. must include mandatory disability pay gap reporting, the enforcement of reasonable adjustments and a stronger legal framework for adjustments.