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Nine in 10 disabled workers want to continue working from home after pandemic
25 October 2021 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
New research shows that 9 in 10 disabled workers (90%) who worked from home during the pandemic want to continue doing so at least some of the time.
The survey, conducted by YouGov for the Trades Union Congress (TUC), found that many disabled workers experienced working from home for the first time during the pandemic.
Disabled workers who were able to work from home told the TUC that it had had a positive impact on them and their working lives.
Just under seven in 10 (68%) of all disabled workers want some form of hours based flexibility.
A quarter of those surveyed said their ideal work pattern would be to work flexitime, and 23% want to work part-time.
One third of disabled workers (34%) who worked from home said that they lacked proper office equipment such as a desk, chair, or computer.
The TUC are calling on government ministers to change the law so that all jobs are advertised with flexible options clearly stated.
They also want all workers to have the legal right to work flexibly from their first day in a job.
TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Disabled people were hit hard by Covid-19. Six in ten of all Covid deaths were of disabled people.
“Disabled workers still face barriers getting and keeping a job – and are often paid less than their non-disabled peers.
“During the pandemic, many disabled people were able to work flexibly or from home for the first time – often after being previously told that it was not possible in their job.
“Even amid the grief and isolation of the pandemic, these changed working patterns improved the experience of many disabled people at work.
“We can’t go back. Employers must offer all disabled people who can work from home the right to continue working from home, as a reasonable adjustment.
“And they must offer appropriate flexible working options as standard in all jobs – both as a reasonable adjustment for disabled workers, and as a right for every worker.