UK: Disability Workforce Reporting Consultation Launched

​A consultation has been launched into whether workforce reporting on disability should be introduced for U.K. employers with 250 or more employees. This consultation forms part of the U.K. government's National Disability Strategy published in July 2021 and is in response to calls to increase transparency on disability in the workplace. It includes consideration of mandatory and voluntary reporting practices, looking at what is working well, and what changes could be made to increase inclusive practices.

There is an existing voluntary disability reporting framework that has been in place for a number of years. However, research published by the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development earlier this year within its Health and Wellbeing at Work 2021 Report indicated that fewer than a quarter of respondents were even aware of this framework. Over three-quarters of respondents agreed that there was a strong case for reporting disability, mental health and well-being data.

The current consultation will run until 11.45 p.m. on March 25, seeking views on:

• The current landscape.
• The benefits and barriers to disability workforce reporting.
• Considerations if mandatory disability workforce reporting was implemented.
• Alternative approaches.

If you would like to contribute to the consultation, visit the survey.

Sarah Hooton is an attorney with Browne Jacobson LLP in Nottingham, England, U.K. © 2022 Browne Jacobson LLP. All rights reserved. Reposted with permission of Lexology.