18/06/2012

Addressing inflexible work patterns and increasing support from managers are priority areas that need to be addressed according to research published by the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

The aim of the research was to show:

• how the world of work could be opened up to enable more disabled people to participate fully
• enable more employers to realise the potential of their disabled employees
• to look beyond the barriers and to identify how workplaces could become more inclusive.

Ten group interviews and 10 in depth individual interviews were conducted across Britain between October and December 2010.

A summary of the priority areas recommended by participants for opening up work for disabled people in brief were:

• Tackling attitudinal barriers and creating a better workplace culture – so that employers do not make assumptions about disability or underestimate the capabilities and contribution of disabled people and people with long-term health conditions. This would remove some barriers at recruitment and in promotion opportunities.
• Addressing inflexibility in work patterns – disabled people face challenges associated with how the working day and working week are arranged, and with restrictions on leave or breaks. 
• Increasing support at line management level – key in ensuring workloads and tasks are managed effectively, and in fostering an environment where an employee’s needs can be identified and communicated.

The full report can be found at: www.equalityhumanrights.com