Good employers have nothing to fear from historic European court ruling, says EFD

20th July 2008

Employers’ Forum on Disability (EFD) today (July 21) welcomed the European Court of Justice’s ruling on Sharon Coleman’s case, saying it is good news for all employers and employees, not just those affected by disability.

Sharon Coleman successfully argued that the law should protect people associated with disability, like the six million carers in the UK. She claims her employers discriminated against her by refusing her request for flexible working to care for her disabled son.

Bela Gor, EFD’s Head of legal services and a leading expert on disability discrimination case law, said: “The judgement means that employers cannot discriminate against any employees on grounds of religion, belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

“This case focuses attention on flexible working, which helps create a more supportive culture for everyone, particularly disabled employees.

“Many businesses assume that flexible working is a costly exercise. While it needs to be reasonable and appropriate, flexible working can be inexpensive and gives employers access to a wider talent pool including disabled people and carers.

“We know that a flexible working culture makes it easier for employers to become more ‘disability confident’, which means they are inclusive and understand how disability affects every aspect of business.

“For example, a disabled shop worker who arrives and leaves work later than their colleagues could mean the business is open later.

“Anticipating the needs of disabled people by developing a business case for disability confidence will see gains across organisations. Employers that follow good practice have nothing to fear from this ruling.”

Find out the background to the Coleman case with this legal briefing.

Ends

Notes to editors

Further comment and briefings from Bela Gor, as well as case studies,are available on request.

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk