Over 90 per cent of employers at legal risk say Employers' Forum on Disability

Over 90 per cent of UK employers may be putting themselves at risk under disability discrimination laws, according to new figures released today by Employers' Forum on Disability.

The Employers' Forum Disability Standard 2007 survey of UK businesses, between them employing around two million people, found that only eight per cent have an effective reasonable adjustment policy in place.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), disabled employees have the right to adjustments that allow them to work as effectively as their non-disabled colleagues.

Employers' Forum on Disability (EFD) chief executive Susan Scott-Parker
said: The results of the Disability Standard are clear - employers are still not doing enough to ensure reasonable adjustments for their disabled staff.

This is despite their legal obligation to do so - and despite the fact that most adjustments cost little or nothing at all to make.

Simon Minty, director of diversity consultants Minty & Friend said:
Employers must recognise the legal risks involved in not making adjustments and they must ensure that adjustments they do make for disabled staff are monitored effectively.

Most importantly, this will enable all disabled people to work as effectively as their colleagues.

We congratulate those employers who are making great strides for their disabled staff but it is disappointing that some are still putting themselves at legal risk and also missing out on maximising opportunities for their disabled staff.