Businesses 'need to do more' to manage disability

'Expert advice is essential'

Adam Saville
clock • 2 min read

Vast majority of SME owners do not understand legal rights of disabled employees, survey finds

Many employers are neglecting their responsibilities towards disabled staff, research by Bolt Burdon Kemp has revealed. The survey of 501 SME owners in the UK revealed that an alarming 95% were not aware of the legal rights of disabled employees. This is despite a recent government report which found there are nearly one million more disabled people in work today than five years ago. In 2017, the UK government set a target to get one million disabled people into work over the next 10 years, however, according to the latest Office of National Statistics, there has only been a 5% inc...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Employee Benefits

One in five men unaware of employer health support: Bupa

One in five men unaware of employer health support: Bupa

Delaying diagnosis amid fears of career impact

Jaskeet Briah
clock 12 January 2026 • 2 min read
Towergate Employee Benefits completes Everywhen rebrand

Towergate Employee Benefits completes Everywhen rebrand

New website launched

Jaskeet Briah
clock 05 January 2026 • 1 min read
Partner Insight: Workplace health review signals new benefit options for advisers

Partner Insight: Workplace health review signals new benefit options for advisers

Simplyhealth Keeping Britain wo…

Simplyhealth
clock 18 December 2025 • 1 min read