Over recent decades, laws and attitudes toward disabled workers have improved. However, many people with disabilities still struggle to get and keep jobs. Others face unfair treatment at work. Sometimes management has difficulty acknowledging mental health disabilities since the person appears “able bodied.” This unfair treatment can seriously impact their finances and their future. What should employees know?
What forms might disability discrimination take?
Disability discrimination happens when an employer treats a job applicant or an employee badly because of their disability. Some issues may be clear. However, others are less obvious. Some forms of mistreatment include:
- Hiring discrimination: Employers might not hire or promote someone because they have a disability. This leads to much lower employment rates for disabled people compared to other workers.
- Unequal pay: Employers may pay workers with disabilities less than other workers who do the same job.
- Lack of accommodation: Sometimes, employers might not make the necessary changes that a worker needs to do their job. This could include not providing accessible workstations or the technology needed or not allowing flexible working hours.
- Harassment: Workers with disabilities might face rude comments or actions related to their disability. This could be jokes or name-calling or even physical threats.
- Retaliation: If workers ask for changes to help them work better or report problems, their employer might punish them. This could mean leaving them out of meetings, harassing them, giving them bad reviews or even firing them.
- Biased policies: Some workplace rules might seem fair but actually disadvantage disabled employees. For example, inflexible scheduling might not impact many people. However, it could make it difficult for disabled workers to manage their medical needs or appointments.
- Withholding training & advancement opportunities: Occasionally management does not view disabled employees as appropriate for career advancement,
If bias impacts you, it is possible to hold individuals and businesses responsible. Talk to supervisors or human resources for help. You might also consider discussing the issues with an employment law attorney who understands disability discrimination claims. They can help you understand your options and, if necessary, assist you in filing a complaint.
Addressing workplace discrimination is not just about following the law. It is also about valuing the diverse skills and perspectives that people with disabilities bring to the workforce. With the right information and support, you can make your more inclusive and fair for everyone.
A disability discrimination attorney can work with your health care provider to obtain proper support for your disability status and potential accommodation. The attorney can also work with HR to obtain accommodations and work toward career paths for disabled employees.