 |
|
Adjustment to premises
You are required to make a 'reasonable adjustment'to your work premises if any
physical feature on your premises causes a substantial disadvantage to disabled
employees.
Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), you are obliged to remove or
improve any such physical features.
Physical features may include:
- the design of the building or its construction
- an approach to, or exit from the building
- fixtures, fittings, furnishings, equipment or materials
- any other physical element or quality of land in the premises, whether temporary
or permanent.
Where it is not reasonable to make a physical alteration to the premises,
it may be necessary to accommodate your disabled employee in a more accessible
workplace.
Adjustment to work practice
Your disabled employees may have different needs to your able-bodied employees.
For this reason, you must establish a work practice that takes into account your
employee's particular needs.
Things to consider:
- your employees may need to be absent during working hours for rehabilitation,
assessment or treatment
- if an employee becomes disabled while working for you, you must allow them
extended leave to receive treatment and rehabilitation
- you should provide flexible working hours. Some people with disabilities
may find it difficult to work the standard working hours because, for example,
they might have difficulty travelling during rush hour. A disabled employee
may also become more than usually tired and need regular breaks throughout
the day
- if you and your employee both see it as a viable option, you might consider
allowing part-time work and/or job-sharing
Adjustment to responsibilities
When hiring a person with a disability, you need to ensure that they are able
to carry out the duties required of them.
For example, a profoundly deaf person would not be able to use a phone except
via an interpreter, but would use other means including email, fax and textphone.
This will also apply to an existing employee who has become disabled. It may
be necessary to change their role within the workplace.
|
|
 |
|
