Disability discrimination: UK employment law

Essential points

• It is unlawful to discriminate against someone because they possess one of the ‘protected characteristics’ listed in the Equality Act 2010 (the act). This includes disability.
• Disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial long-term, adverse effect on the ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. This includes normal day-to-day work activities.
• Some conditions are specifically listed as ‘disabilities’ to which the protections in the act apply.
• Disability discrimination protection under the act is more extensive than most other areas of discrimination protection because it includes a positive duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments to support the disabled employee in the workplace.
• The duty to make reasonable adjustments applies where a person with a disability is placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to a person without a disability.
• Information on disability discrimination in Northern Ireland is available on the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland website.