Disability Discrimination in the Workplace

If you have been discriminated against in the workplace in any way because of your disability, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. The employment law team at JMW includes an expert team of disability rights specialists with varied experience in fighting cases of victimisation and we are here to help you secure the outcome you deserve.

To find out more about how we can help and to take the first steps in making a claim against an employer, contact us today. Simply call us on 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form, which will enable us to give you a call back and discuss in more detail.

About Disability Discrimination

Under the Equality Act 2010 and the UN Convention, disabled workers are protected from discrimination in the workplace, as well as in other areas such as transport, education and accessibility of goods and services. Under the legislation, disabled employees cannot be treated less favourably or victimised, and reasonable adjustments must be made to enable them to work. This could include buying a certain piece of equipment or changing working hours to suit their at-home care schedule, for example.

Disability discrimination comes in many forms - for instance, it is discriminatory for your manager to fail to provide you with a different keyboard if the standard one is difficult for you to use because of your disability - however, discrimination can also be deliberate and abusive.

We have fought cases involving various different circumstances, including people who were bullied because of their condition, left out of team outings or essentially pushed out of a workplace due to their condition.

Unfortunately, disability discrimination is a form of discrimination that may not always be taken as seriously as more common types, such as sexual or racial. Also, it may be the case that people with a disability are not aware of their rights and are therefore not pursuing a claim and receiving the compensation to which they are entitled. We believe this should not be the case, and it is our aim to ensure disability discrimination is taken seriously, and to make sure those with a disability understand their rights and are able to make a successful claim.

Types of Discrimination

Discrimination comes in many forms, but typical examples of disability discrimination in the workplace can include:

• Being treated less favourably than a colleague without a disability
• Being expected to do something that your colleagues do, but it is difficult due to your disability and no provisions are given to help you
• Jokes or comments made about your condition by managers/other colleagues
• Being expected to work at times that impact your treatment and your manager is aware of this (for example, being asked to work on a day when you have a long-standing regular physiotherapy appointment)

Discrimination can either be direct or indirect. For instance, direct discrimination can involve name calling and other forms of bullying, while indirect discrimination might see your employer asking you to do something that they know will be difficult for you because of your condition.

Why Choose JMW?

JMW's expert disability discrimination team has a wealth of experience and the legal knowledge needed to bring successful cases against employers who are not acting in accordance with disability discrimination law.

We understand how difficult it is to not only experience discrimination, but to speak up about it and make an effort to stop it, and to help prevent it from happening again. It can be especially tough to bring a case against current or former employers, and this is why we will provide the support and guidance you need throughout the duration of the case, from start to finish, ensuring you are in the best position to get the result you are after.