1. Work, Long-term Pain and the Law
The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on employers and service providers to make “reasonable adjustments” in the workplace for people with disabilities.
What is the definition of disability?
“If a person has a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term adverse/negative effect on a person’s ability to do normal daily activities”.
People with long term pain are likely to be covered by this definition, though sometimes prefer the term ‘long term condition’ rather than ‘disability’ click here
What is a ‘reasonable adjustment’?
Employers must make reasonable adjustments to make sure disabled workers aren’t seriously disadvantaged when doing their jobs click here
2. Support Available If You Are Currently in Work
Occupational Health (OH) – If your organisation has an OH department, you can usually book in to see them yourself, or ask your line manager to refer you. Familiarise yourself with your employers sickness or redeployment policy, and disability leave policy if there is one.
Access to work scheme – this provides practical help and support to help you overcome work-related obstacles. It can also give you grants towards extra employment costs click here
Contact the Access to Work: 0345 268 8489
Employers and Access to Work – Jobcentre Plus has an Access to Work information leaflet for employers available at click here
Disability Employment Advisor (DEA) – based at Local Jobcentre Plus. They can give you information on reasonable adjustments click here There’s more information about employers’ obligations and how to meet them on the Equality and human Rights Commission website click here
3. Support Available If You Are Thinking About Looking For Work
A. Paid work – click here
B. Voluntary work – click here
C. Career development and other learning opportunities – click here