A recent Trade Union Congress (TUC) survey has brought to light the pervasive discrimination disabled workers continue to face in UK workplaces. The survey found that 39% of disabled workers in the UK have faced bullying, discrimination, or harassment at work. For many, the consequences have been profound; 42% reported damage to their mental health, 31% said their performance was negatively affected, and nearly 30% felt trapped in toxic environments due to financial constraints. Alarmingly, 16% reported having left an employer as a direct result of mistreatment. These experiences compound existing inequalities, with disabled individuals already earning less on average and being less likely to be in stable employment.
The findings further revealed that harmful behaviours — ranging from intrusive questioning and negative stereotyping to offensive jokes — remain disturbingly common. Fifteen percent of respondents had been asked inappropriate questions about their disability, while 14% were subjected to offensive ‘banter’ or comments. The impact is far-reaching: 38% reported a loss of confidence at work, 31% said their job performance suffered, and 20% had to take time off due to the emotional toll.
Equality advocates argue that such treatment is not only unacceptable but preventable. They are urging employers to take proactive steps to foster inclusive cultures, provide training, and implement robust policies that ensure disabled workers are protected, supported, and treated equitably across all sectors.
