If you need extra support for entering and staying in work because of your disability or mental health condition, you could ask for a reasonable adjustment from your employer. Let’s take a look at what this means…
What are reasonable adjustments?
Reasonable adjustments are changes employers can make to the workplace, your role, and your working situation that make it easier for you to work with your disability.
They could include accessible parking spaces on the property, wheelchair access to the building, having flexible working, and providing extra support/mentoring.
Employers are required by law to make reasonable adjustments if they know an employee is disabled and is at a disadvantage because of this, or if a disabled employee/applicant asks for an adjustment to be made.
Do I have to disclose my disability?
You don’t have to tell your employer or potential employer about your disability or mental health condition if you don’t want to.
However, if you know you’ll face a disadvantage in work because of your disability or you think you need certain adjustments made to make it easier for you, then consider letting them know.
Once your employer knows, they have a responsibility to support you – it’s the law.
Do I have to pay for the adjustment?
No, you don’t. Your employer will pay for the adjustments to be made. They will judge whether they consider the adjustment to be ‘reasonable’ based on how practical it is, what the impact will be, and whether they can afford to implement it.
However, you may be eligible for support from the Access to Work scheme which helps those with medical conditions and disabilities stay in work. It can help pay towards things that will help you stay in employment, but remember, it does not remove your employer’s requirement to pay for the reasonable adjustment.
How do I ask for a reasonable adjustment?
If you’re already in a job or applying for one, you can ask for a reasonable adjustment by writing an email, a letter, or setting up a meeting to discuss it.
You should explain what support you think you need and state which adjustments the employer should consider implementing. Any promise of adjustments being made should be confirmed in writing.
If you’re already in work, it’s worth reading through your employee handbook to see if there is a formal process you should go through to request a reasonable adjustment.
What if my employer won’t make the reasonable adjustment?
The question here would be ‘was my adjustment not reasonable and can this be justified?’ or ‘is this discrimination?’.
The key thing would be to talk it through with your employer. You can explain why you think you should get the adjustment, and they can explain why they think it’s not reasonable, and even what the other options are that may reduce the impact of your disability.
If you feel you’re experiencing discrimination, you can make a complaint to your employer and even get legal advice.
