In this blog we are highlighting an issue many of our members talk to us about on social media. It’s a hot topic often talked about in the news but not given much of a thought thereafter and that’s accessibility in the workplace.
Flexible Working Consultation
Government launched the Consultation into Flexible Working in 2021, with the aim of encouraging companies to adopt flexible working as a default position unless employers have a good reason not to.
The Business Disability Forum spoke with their employees and members to conclude their response to the above consultation. Although they supported some of the changes around flexible working, there were some concerns. They stated that the list of reasons an employer can decline a flexible working arrangement is “outdated and relies on negative language and views about flexible arrangements – for example, “burden”, “negatively affecting” are phrases used within the list.” Click to read more.
Inclusive Design
An article by Zoe Portlock on the Scope website shares 8 reasons why businesses should care about inclusive design. According to data 1 in 5 are disabled in the United Kingdom, this figure rises to 1 in 2 adults by age 65. Businesses committing to accessibility open their services and products to 20% of people. A recent article on our website by our Marketing manager Kat discusses the spending power of disabled households, which is estimated to be £279 billion a year.
Alongside this, having an accessible business and brand allows for loyalty as a company people can trust and identify with. This in turn influences the internal culture of any business. Having a safe and inclusive workplace ensures that everyone, including colleagues who might have accessibility needs, feel understood and valued. Having a good structure and plan when it comes to making sure your business is accessible ensures that you meet current Equality legislation that protects the rights of employees and customers.
Workstyle: A revolution for wellbeing, productivity and society
Alex Hirst and Lizzie Penny, authors of Sunday Time Business Bestseller ‘Workstyle: A revolution for wellbeing, productivity and society’ wrote about the basics of work and the historical impact of the way we view work. In a passionate call to action they wrote…
Workstyle can fundamentally restructure work to design out bias and barriers to inclusion and thus transform equality, diversity and inclusion in a way that can never be achieved with traditional working structures.
Our ultimate goal is to create a world of work without bias – where we are all happy and fulfilled – and that cannot be done without changing things for the 15 per cent of the world’s population who have a disability.’
In the book, they also recommend that individuals create their own ‘workstyle plan’ that ‘outlines where and when they like to work and the things that help them to work in the most productive way.’ For tips and advice, people can get in touch here – lizzieandalex@workstylerevolution.com
