Reasonable Adjustments
Coventry City Council is committed to supporting our disabled employees in employment and making reasonable adjustments as appropriate.
Under the Equality Act 2010, employers have a duty to consider and make "reasonable adjustments", which is defined as "a reasonable step taken to prevent a disabled person suffering a substantial disadvantage compared with people who are not disabled".
Whether an employee:
- becomes disabled
- develops a health condition whilst at work,
- had a disability or health condition to start with
- finds their health or disability changes
It is important to know what can make a difference to that individual, both in terms of support, so that they can regularly attend work, and to carry out in their job, or perhaps to help the individual to take on a new role.
An "adjustment", in the context of the Equality Act, is a change. This can be a physical change or a change in the way something is done. Finding a ‘reasonable adjustment’ can be a creative process as there is no ‘one size fits all’ methodology.
It is highly recommended that you discuss the health condition with the employee, look at what is causing them difficulties and consider together what changes could be made. Such changes could for example, include provision of an ergonomic chair, new equipment - IT, training, change to the job, size of lettering of documents, changes to the building – ramps, access etc. New reasonable adjustments or changes need to be recorded using the Employees Personal Adjustment Passport.
If you would like to learn more about reasonable adjustments, a webinar has been scheduled for 21 June from 1pm-2pm presented by Gillian Carter. To book your place please contact julie.richardson@coventry.gov.uk