Disability
If you are disabled and struggling at work because of your disability your employer must investigate your situation fully. They are under an obligation to make reasonable adjustments to help you do your work (or even find other work for you to do). If they do not do so you might have a claim for discrimination and be entitled to compensation. What amounts to reasonable adjustments will depend on the individual circumstances.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) a disability is defined as “a physical or mental impairment that has substantial adverse effects on that person’s ability to carry out normal day to day activities”. Not all disabilities are visible. You might have a heart condition or mental health issues which whilst not necessarily obvious might still be covered by the law. Some illnesses automatically amount to a disability such as HIV and cancer, whether or not in remission.
If you have a disabled child and you need to spend time caring for them and your employer does not allow you the time off or makes life difficult for you, your employer may still be discriminating against you on the grounds of associated discrimination.
We have advised many employees facing possible discrimination about such things as:
- whether their disability is covered by the legislation
- the types of adjustments which their employer is obliged to make
- pursuing compensation for disability discrimination through the employment tribunal
If the discrimination has also caused you to become ill you might have a claim for damages for personal injury.
To speak to someone who can help with a disability discrimination claim or any other employment related issue, call, email or request a call back from one of our specialist lawyers.