Disability pay gap continues to widen

The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) report reveals that the disability pay gap in the UK has widened slightly to 13.8% in 2021. 

The ONS report also found that there is an even wider gap for disabled men (median pay 12.4% less than non-disabled men) than for disabled women (10.5% less than non-disabled women). 

What about the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic? In 2020, the disability pay gap was 13.5%, with the highest gap reported in 2019 at 14.1%. The pandemic cannot be entirely responsible for the latest figures. In fact, it is arguable that the impact of working from home has benefited those with disabilities as physical barriers to work were removed and they have had the benefit of working in a quiet home environment in contrast to a busy office. 

The ONS report highlights that the disability pay gap varies depending on the type of impairment suffered. Those employees with autism had the largest pay gap, with their median pay being 33.5% less than non-disabled employees. There were also large pay gaps between those with severe or specific learning difficulties (29.7%), epilepsy (25.4%) and mental illness or other nervous disorders (22.1%).

The government is considering whether disability pay reporting should be mandatory for large employers, as it has done with gender pay reporting. A response is expected in June 2022. 

In the meantime, there are a number of things employers can consider for creating a supportive work environment for colleagues. This includes: 

• making obvious workplace adjustments where necessary e.g. lifts/barriers 
• developing an open and supportive culture where disabled employees can openly talk about their disability knowing this will not negatively affect their position or career
• providing adjustments and facilities such as quiet office spaces/break out rooms if a disabled employee feels overwhelmed
• training managers around how to support disabled colleagues 
• having strong board leadership to support and implement diversity strategies within the business
• raising awareness of disabilities - this could be done as part of a 'disability awareness week' where leaders are also encouraged to share their own experiences with health conditions 

Covid-19 and the pandemic has had a profound impact on all our working lives. Is now a good time for employers to reconsider the 'norm' in the ways of working, discuss alternatives, and support disabled employees who have been disadvantaged by traditional working patterns and routines with a view of closing an ever increasing disability pay gap?