July 25, 2011
Shah Qureishi, Head of Employment at law firm Bindhams, made his warning in a statement following negotiation of a settlement between a firm he described as a “top city law firm” and his client, an autism sufferer. The settlement was subject to a strict confidentiality agreement but is reported to be worth an estimated £1.3million.
The Equality Act became law in October 2010 and replaced existing legislation. Its provisions cover discrimination in relation to age; disability; gender reassignment; race; religion or belief; sex; sexual orientation; marriage and civil partnership; and pregnancy and maternity. It specifies a range of duties on the part of an employer to ensure that their workplace creates a fair environment.
Mr Qureishi added that these responsibilities include “the duty to make adjustments in the workplace for people with non-visible disabilities such as dyslexia, autism or Asperger’s syndrome.” A spokesperson for Bindhams added that, in response to the case, the law firm in question had “promised to implement internal training and policies educating staff.”
However, the implementation of such new policies and training comes at a price and the new legislation has not been without its controversy. David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, stated back in October 2010 that “if private sector businesses are to offset job losses in the public sector, the significant costs of employing people must be reduced. As austerity measures start to bite, companies need the flexibility and freedom to boost employment and drive our economic recovery.”
