Black Disabled Workers and the Disciplinary Process

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Conference
2018 National Disabled Members' Conference
Date
6 July 2018
Decision
Carried

Conference notes that Black Disabled workers are disproportionately targeted when it comes to disciplinary processes, which is often linked to racism and discrimination as well as a lack of understanding and support for the barriers faced by disabled people, including those with non-visible/non-apparent disabilities.

Black disabled people are also over-represented when it comes to capability proceedings, again due to discrimination and a lack of reasonable adjustments.

Many Black disabled members are isolated from their branch and do not know they are entitled to reasonable adjustments such as disability leave or changes to performance targets.

Conference notes UNISON’s comprehensive guide ‘Proving Disability – A Guide to Reasonable Adjustments’ which lists potential reasonable adjustments. Conference also notes UNISON’s factsheet on Disability Leave. However not all of our stewards or Black disabled members are aware of these resources.

Conference therefore instructs the National Disabled Members Committee to:

1.Publicise and promote UNISON’s guidance on reasonable adjustments and on disability leave, ensuring the barriers and adjustments related to impairments that affect Black disabled people in particular are included

2.Work with National Black Members Committee to consider ways of further supporting Black disabled members in the workplace

3.Work with Labour Link to seek a commitment to statutory disability leave from a future Labour government.