Talking to your employer about your health or condition

It is your choice whether and when you talk to people about your disability, including with your employer. Do think about the advantages of being open, such as getting the support you need, access to specialist equipment and external support. Your employer will not be able to make workplace adjustments if they don’t know that any are required.

 

Reasonable adjustments, and what you should expect at work

Remember that employers must make ‘reasonable adjustments’ for employees who have a disability. A few examples would be:

  • Making physical changes such as installing a ramp
  • Working flexible hours or part-time to accommodate disability related needs
  • Providing equipment such as specialist seating or a height adjustable desk
  • If you have had time off from work because of a health condition you may be entitled to a ‘back to work plan’ with a possible phased return and briefing sessions to allow you to get back up to speed.

Larger workplaces will usually have an Occupational Health department or service. These can be useful in suggesting and arranging ‘reasonable adjustments’, or providing advice if health issues have an impact on your employment.

If you need extra support to do your job, such as specialised equipment, or have extra costs to travel to work owing to your disability, you might be able to obtain help through Access to Work, a government scheme. Find out more here.

 

What can your employer ask?

Under the Equality Act 2010, an employer cannot normally ask you about your health or disability history until after they have made a job offer. This means that they cannot turn you down on health grounds without your knowledge.

However employers can ask you, before a job offer is made, questions directly relevant to:

  • Whether reasonable adjustments need to be made in the selection process
  • If you can carry out a task that is an essential part of the work
  • As part of diversity monitoring among their job applicants
  • To increase the number of disabled people they employ
  • If disability is a requirement of the job.

You can find out more from the Equality and Human Rights Commission at www.equalityhumanrights.com.