News Story: Disability/Employment rights

On 9 April 2024, the DWP published a new version of  Guidance: Recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition together with a Press Release. The guidance, which has been developed by the Disability Confident scheme in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, aims to support managers in creating an inclusive work environment and in effectively managing employees with disabilities or health conditions. The guidance provides extensive information and links to useful sources of further support, both generally and in respect of employing people with a wide range of specific physical and mental health conditions.

The guidance includes content on:

• attracting, recruiting and retaining disabled employees and considerations when a disabled employee leaves the business or organisation;
• managing, supporting and progressing the careers of disabled people and offering flexible working;
• using the right language and behaviour when addressing or referring to a disabled person;
• understanding and reducing barriers that could prevent a disabled employee from performing effectively;
• disclosure and confidentiality obligations when sharing information about employees' health conditions;
• managing sickness absence and offering occupational health support; and
• understanding the law, including an employer's duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 and help available for employees from the Access to Work scheme.

For more information about disability generally, see Disability, and for further information about formal guidance for employers, see Disability/Disability Guidance and EHRC Code. 

First published on the Employment News Service on 9 April 2024.

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