Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what steps the Government has taken to help ensure that people with disabilities receive help and support to identify and challenge discriminatory workplace behaviours and practices.

Discriminatory behaviours and practices in the workplace, including those related to disabled employees and job applicants, are both unacceptable and unlawful. Protections for disabled employees and job applicants exist in the Equality Act 2010 and remedies are available where breaches occur. Acas and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, have published comprehensive guidance to assist employees identify discrimination and other unlawful conduct and then enforce their rights. This guidance can be found at:

http://www.acas.org.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1859; and https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/disability-discrimination

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is responsible for ensuring that the Equality Act 2010 is enforced and has become involved in cases where a particular principle of law is concerned or where there is evidence of widespread or systematic discrimination.

Acas provides free authoritative and impartial advice to employees, job applicants and employers on their website at http://www.acas.org.uk, and via their telephone helpline 08457 47 47 47.

The Government-funded Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) also provides free bespoke advice and in-depth support to individuals with discrimination concerns and can be contacted via their website at www.equalityadvisoryservice.com, or by telephone on 0808 8000082 or text phone on 0808 8000084. The EASS also supports individuals to resolve issues using alternative informal dispute resolution and can also advise people who wish to take their complaint further on their options.