What is disability discrimination at work?
The Equality Act 2010 protects you from disability discrimination. This covers physical disabilities, mental health conditions, chronic illnesses, neurodivergence (like autism and ADHD), and long-term conditions like diabetes or arthritis.
Your employer cannot discriminate against you because of your disability. They must also make "reasonable adjustments" — changes to how you work or your environment — so you're not put at a disadvantage. If they don't, that's also discrimination.
What counts as disability discrimination?
- Not hiring you because of your disability
- Dismissing you because of your disability
- Not promoting you because of your disability
- Refusing to make reasonable adjustments (flexible hours, remote work, accessible equipment)
- Harassment because of your disability: mocking, exclusion, or unwanted comments
- Treating you worse than a non-disabled colleague in similar circumstances
What are reasonable adjustments?
Your employer must make changes that help you do your job, unless the cost or effort would be unreasonable. Examples include:
- Flexible working hours or part-time arrangements
- Working from home
- Adjusting workload or deadlines
- Providing specialist equipment (ergonomic chairs, screen readers, hearing loops)
- Training or mentoring for specific tasks
- Accessible offices or parking
What to do if you've been disabled discriminated against
Tell your employer. Request reasonable adjustments in writing if you haven't already. Explain what adjustment you need and why it would help.
Document everything. Keep records of your requests, your employer's responses, and any discrimination or refusal to adjust.
Contact ACAS. Call 0300 123 1100 to discuss your situation. You can start early conciliation with your employer.
Time limit. You have 3 months minus 1 day from the discrimination to start ACAS conciliation.