In late summer the government launched the National Disability Strategy,Ā which will hopefully have the effect of āmaking the world of work more inclusive and accessibleā.
Part of this strategy is a new Online advice hub from Acas (The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), called Disability at Work.
The new advice hub is for employers, managers, and disabled people (employers, workers and job applicants) in England, Scotland and Wales, and includes adviceĀ on supporting and treating disabled people fairly at work:
- disability discrimination,
- reasonable adjustments,
- supporting mental health at work,
- discrimination and the law,
- improving equality, diversity and inclusion in the workplace,
- when an employer may make a decision based on disability,
- working safely during Coronavirus.
An extract says:
People at high risk from COVID-19
People who are at high risk of serious illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) must follow the same guidance as everyone else and think particularly carefully about additional precautions they might wish to take.
People at high risk will have been identified and contacted by the NHS. They may be referred to as being ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’.
Their employer must also take extra steps to keep them safe, for example by:
- looking at ways to support their work, for example allowing them to work from home where possible
- providing extra safety measures at their workplace
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on protecting vulnerable workers, including advice for employers and employees on how to talk about reducing risks in the workplace.