Wed 4 Jan 2012
Staffs and Firms Mostly Unaware About the Legal Needs of People with Hearing Loss
Posted by admin under Legal Parlor , Health Infos , It's Your BusinessComments Off
Indifferent working atmosphere along with a number of hindrances at workplace is stopping the career growth and compelling people with hearing disability to retire early, claims a new report by Action on Hearing Loss. The charity organization based in UK, has hence strongly advocated all firms to make practical measures to back their employees with hearing disability.
The report published by the charity called ‘Unlimited Potential?’ shows that 36% of the surveyed hearing-impaired employees admitted during the survey that they resigned from work voluntarily and before time because of their disability. Almost 14% of them also admitted to have changed their companies. The study found that 40% of the surveyed employees felt less self-assured due to their hearing disability while 33% of them chose not to tell about their hearing impairment to their companies or their teammates.
The study made by the charity noted that both employers and employees were ill informed about the laws and arrangement initiated by the Government that can safeguard the interests of people with hearing impairment. Staffs with hearing impairment must be defended from any type of unfair behaviour or action under the Equality Act 2010, as it wants firms to make rational alterations at their workplace that would aid a disabled employee to work. The Access to Work (AtW) arrangement by the Government assists firms by helping them in funding for some of the alterations made by the firm to aid a disabled employee to work effortlessly.
There are around 3.7 million hearing impaired people in UK who are in the working age bracket pointed Jackie Ballard, Chief Executive for Action on Hearing Loss. The study made by Action on Hearing Loss shows administrative non-supportive working environment is having a great adverse effect on the career of hearing impaired employees. She also stated that it is inexcusable that these people cannot carry on with their work, as it is their firms who have been unsuccessful in writing down and executing definite rules to aid their employees with hearing impairment.
Companies need to be sure that they are giving the correct instructions to employees with regard to health and safety issues. Accredited IOSH Working Safely courses can assist companies in training management to be aware of the proper health and safety procedures for all kinds of workplace situations.