What's Happening?
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has released new analysis revealing that disabled workers earn £2.24 less per hour compared to non-disabled workers, resulting in a 15.5% pay gap. This disparity means disabled employees
working a 35-hour week earn over £4,000 less annually than their non-disabled counterparts. The report also highlights that disabled workers are more likely to be employed on zero-hours contracts. Experts emphasize the need for HR departments to implement meaningful cultural changes to address this issue, including redesigning systems with equality in mind and introducing mandatory disability pay gap reporting.
Why It's Important?
The pay gap underscores systemic inequalities faced by disabled workers, affecting their financial stability and career progression. Addressing this gap is crucial for promoting fairness and dignity in the workplace, ensuring that all employees have equal opportunities to succeed. The findings call for urgent action from employers to create inclusive environments that value and reward all employees equally. This includes educating staff to reduce bias and stigma, and implementing policies that support disabled workers' development and advancement.
What's Next?
The TUC and other advocates are pushing for mandatory disability pay gap reporting to hold employers accountable and drive real change. Organizations are encouraged to integrate inclusion into all aspects of their operations, from recruitment to promotion pathways. Training managers to support disabled employees is also highlighted as a critical step in fostering an inclusive workplace culture.
