- Conference
- 2023 National Water, Environment & Transport Conference
- Date
- 6 February 2023
- Decision
- Carried
Conference is only too aware that having trained reps to support and guide our members during sickness meetings is essential in obtaining a good outcome. Conference will further acknowledge that supporting our disabled members requires a further detailed knowledge of the Equality act 2010.
Some managers in the water industry may be competent with day-to-day business but when it comes to understanding and applying Reasonable Adjustments under the Equality Act 2010, they often flounder resulting in disabled members being wrongly invited to stage 1 sickness meetings far too early, leading to unnecessary stress and upset.
Yorkshire Water branch has responded to this situation by writing a Policy, The Tailored Adjustment Plan (TAP). The policy is based on UNISON’s Reasonable Adjustments, Bargaining guide and Accessibility Passport. The company has welcomed the policy.
Where TAP has been used, it has helped prevent these early sickness absence meetings.
It has also proved invaluable in helping managers and HR to fully recognise and appreciate our member’s disability, how it affects them and its likely impacts on their day-to-day working.
Our disabled members have enthusiastically welcomed the document and the company appreciate the value and benefits this policy brings to supporting their disabled employees.
Conference calls upon the SGE to:
1) Promote and circulate UNISON’s Reasonable Adjustments, Bargaining guide and Accessibility Passport Document to all Water, Environment and Transport branches.
2) Consider inviting a member from UNISON’s National Disabled Members team to explain in greater details the workings and benefits of this tool at the WET seminar 2023.