Disabled workers face 'pervasive' abuse as grim poll reveals offensive jokes and bullying

Nearly four in ten (39%) disabled workers have experienced bullying, discrimination and harassment at work, grim polling shows today(TUE).

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) warned disabled people are facing “pervasive” mistreatment at work. This includes being the butt of offensive jokes or “banter” and being subjected to intrusive questioning about their disability.

Of those who had faced mistreatment at work, more than one in ten (15%) left their job and employer altogether. Another three in ten (28%) said that it made them want to leave their job but they were unable to due to financial or other reasons.

Some 42% said the most recent incident had a negative impact on their mental health, while one in five (20%) had to take time off.

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According to the poll, commissioned by the TUC, some 15% of those who have been mistreated faced intrusive or offensive questioning about their disability.

Some 14% have been made to feel uncomfortable at work due to their disability, including through stereotypes or assumptions about their disability, or had seen or heard offensive jokes or "banter" about disabled people.

And 12% said that they had experienced bullying, including sustained patterns of intimidating or abusive behaviour, clearly linked to their disability.

The TUC said Labour's Employment Rights Bill will introduce key protections for disabled workers to help tackle this “shockingly high” mistreatment. The legislation, currently passing through the House of Lords, includes a clause requiring employers to take all reasonable steps to prevent harassment of staff by third parties, such as customers and patients.

Recent TUC polling shows that protecting workers from harassment is one of the most popular policies in the Bill – with almost eight in ten UK voters (78%) supporting it.

The TUC has criticised the Tories and Reform UK, who it said “have both mischaracterised the government’s plans to protect workers from third-party harassment as an end to pub banter”.

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak 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.”

::: Opinium surveyed 1,000 disabled workers online between January 22 and February 4.

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