Workplace disability discrimination claims have increased significantly. There has been a 30% rise in cases referred to Acas for conciliation, from 6,545 to 8,496 over the past two years. Joanna Sutton, a lawyer at Nockolds, noted: “While awareness about mental health issues has increased, in many cases workplace policies have lagged behind.” The surge reflects a growing recognition of mental health issues as disabilities, contrasting with the overall 7% increase in all cases sent to Acas. The original disability discrimination legislation from 1995 primarily focused on physical disabilities, but the understanding of disabilities has evolved, with the phrase “not all disabilities are visible” gaining traction in recent years. The rise occurs amid government discussions on reforms to workers’ rights, which have caused concern among business leaders.
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