The government’s consultation on disability workforce reporting closes at 11.45pm on 8 April. The consultation forms part of the government’s wider National Disability Strategy, which aims to create a fully inclusive society for the disabled, through practical actions that improve their lives and by creating opportunities. Improving the ability of disabled people to find and retain jobs, and to progress in their careers, is a crucial element of the strategy.
Welcoming responses from employers, disabled people, disabled people’s organisations and representatives, and researchers, the consultation explores how best to increase transparency and reporting practices that support the cultural changes required to build a more inclusive society. Increasing workplace transparency and reporting on the disabled workforce will enable the government to more easily understand the national picture, and therefore more effectively create and implement opportunities for disabled people. This greater visibility would also provide employers with better information to help them create more inclusive workplaces.
Opinions are sought on the possibility of mandatory disability workplace reporting for large employers (with 250 or more employees), including the benefits and drawbacks of workplace reporting, the implications of imposing a mandatory reporting obligation, as well as opening the floor to suggestions for alternative approaches.
The government intends to publish a full response to the consultation on 17 June 2022.
Tom O'Dell