Health conditions, impairments and disabilities

Make your workplace a place where employees feel safe talking about their health without fear of discrimination. 

Set up confidential ways for employees to share their needs or concerns. This could be regular check-ins, anonymous surveys or meetings with a dedicated HR or staff representative. 

Make sure employees, especially managers, know how to support colleagues with health conditions. Training should include: 

•  Employees rights under the law 
• How to be empathetic and offer support 
• How to talk about health issues with care and confidentiality 

If you are a small business you can use the Support with Employee Health and Disability service. 

The Business Disability Forum also offers training and resources. 

Tell employees who need support for a mental health or musculoskeletal problem about the In-Work Support Service.

The Health Adjustment Passport can help employees find out what support is available to help them stay in work. 

Set up support groups where employees can share their experiences and helpful resources.

Encourage employees to support each other through staff networks.

Visit our equality, diversity and inclusion webpage to find out more. 

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers must make changes (called ‘reasonable adjustments’) to help disabled employees.

These changes can include:  

• Letting employees change work hours for medical appointments or managing their health condition 
• Allowing employees to work from home to reduce stress and physical strain 
• Changing workstations to make them more comfortable 
• Access to Work provides financial help and advice for making these adjustments

Provide special devices and software to help employees do their jobs more easily. Allow flexible ways of working and communicating. 

Gather feedback to see what is working and what needs improvement.

Make changes based on this feedback to ensure you are providing the right support.