Addressing the annual conference in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Rab Donnelly - Usdaw deputy general secretary said: “Occupational health adjustments aren't simply a nice thing to have. Adjustments, like additional breaks, are absolutely essential for disabled workers, to get into work, remain in work and get on at work. There are over 10.5 million disabled people in the UK. That's nearly 1 in 4 people of working age is disabled. The point is that disabled workers play a significant role in our economy and are an essential part of the workforce. Therefore, it is absolutely right that their contributions are valued and respected, but more than that, their conditions must also be valued and respected.
“Thanks to the work of the previous Labour Government, the law is there to support them. The Equality Act is very clear that disabled workers are entitled to reasonable adjustments, adjustments that are intended to put them on a level playing field at work. This isn't special treatment. It's about recognising the additional barriers disabled people face at work and acting to remove them.
“It should be simple, but we continue to face an ongoing battle to make sure disabled workers are being treated fairly at work. I have no doubt that every rep in this room has experience supporting disabled members to get the adjustments they are entitled to and defend their right to keep them.
“Occupational health is there to make sure employers are making the right choices by staff. Extra breaks ensure workers can manage their condition and if a worker needs additional or longer rest breaks, access to a quiet space due to sensory issues and time to administer medication or manage pain. They should not be deducted pay simply for ensuring they are able to remain in work.
“The current Labour Government has been clear about the need for an inclusive labour market, in which everyone can participate and progress, but this can't happen if disabled people are being penalised for their right to time to manage their condition at work. Usdaw will always defend workers’ rights to reasonable adjustments without loss of pay, but we acknowledge that there is work to do, to ensure that employers understand their duty to disabled workers, and act to support them.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest with around 370,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also represents many workers in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion