39% of disabled workers faced bullying or discrimination at work – TUC

The number of disabled workers facing bullying, discrimination and harassment at work was “shockingly high”, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC). 

New polling carried out by Opinium for the union found nearly four in 10 (39%) disabled workers had been on the receiving end of bullying, discrimination and harassment at work over the past five years, linked to their disability, impairment or health condition.

15% said they faced intrusive or offensive questioning about their disability. 

Meanwhile, 14% said they felt uncomfortable at work due to stereotypes or assumptions. 

The same percentage reported offensive jokes or “banter” about disabled people. 

12% said they had experienced bullying, such as sustained patterns of intimidating or abusive behaviour connected to their disability. 

This mistreatment came from colleagues, customers, clients, patients and people the workers met through their jobs.

The research also found the effects of this mistreatment were serious. 

28% said the level of bullying, discrimination and harassment made them want to leave their job, but they felt unable to due to financial or other reasons. 

20% said they had to take time off work, 20% reported a negative impact on their physical health and 16% left their job or employer altogether. 

There were also impacts on wellbeing, with 42% saying the treatment affected their mental health, making them feel more stressed, anxious or depressed. 

38% lost confidence at work and 31% said their work performance suffered.

The Employment Rights Bill will introduce a duty on employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment by third parties, which according to TUC will help curb abuse of disabled workers. 

The union pointed to polling showing 78% of UK voters supported measures to protect workers from harassment.

Paul Nowak, general secretary at TUC, said: “No one should face bullying, harassment or discrimination at work.

“But the number of disabled workers reporting that this is their everyday experience is shockingly high.

“It’s time to stamp out this pervasive mistreatment. Disabled workers deserve dignity and respect at work like every other worker does.”

Nowak added: “That’s why the Government’s Employment Rights Bill is so important.

“It will introduce sensible changes like a duty on employers to protect workers from harassment. 

“This will be an important step towards putting an end to the widespread abuse disabled people experience at work.”